LAST week, a joint administrative order (JAO) was issued by the Department of Finance, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Customs and Philippine Ports Authority in an effort to relieve what has become near-gridlock conditions at Manila’s ports. While the order was a commendable move, its real value should be as a reminder to government officials responsible for managing the coronavirus pandemic to be more proactive and forward-thinking in their planning.

The order warned consignees of containerized cargo that shipments at the port would be subject to forfeiture if they were allowed to remain too long after being cleared by the Customs bureau. Consignees of refrigerated cargoes were given seven days from the publication of the JAO to have these picked up, while frozen cargoes were given just five days to be picked up. According to the JAO, any containers unclaimed three days after the deadline would automatically be declared abandoned and seized by the government.

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