Philippine Economic Zone Authority director-general Tereso Panga said Monday the agency is rolling out logistics and operational measures to help exporters manage geopolitical tensions and rising fuel and electricity costs.
The agency is pushing for the increased use of off-dock facilities within economic zones to allow companies to store cargoes closer to production sites and reduce transport expenses.
Under the proposal, import containers delivered to ecozones can be returned and reused for export or re-export. The internal exchange system allows firms to pay for only one-way transport, cutting fuel costs and improving cargo efficiency.
“We are expanding off-dock facilities so firms can move cargo directly into ecozones, reuse containers, and cut transport costs,” Panga said during the Pandesal Forum.
He said the initiative should ease logistics bottlenecks while lowering the cost of doing business for export-oriented firms.
PEZA officials are also promoting the use of barges to move large volumes of cargo, particularly in Cavite.
Two barge terminals are already operational in the province, enabling shipments to move directly from ports to ecozones without relying solely on trucks.
“This allows for bigger volumes of containers to be moved more efficiently,” Panga said.
To support time-sensitive operations, the agency is working with the Bureau of Customs to implement 24/7 services, including weekends, to ensure seamless cargo movement.
Panga said speed is vital to meeting the requirements of export producers and that round-the-clock processing would enhance national competitiveness and investor appeal.
Despite external uncertainties, locators remain confident in the government response under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his economic managers.
