DTI: Suspend port fees, toll for basic goods transport

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March 12, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing for a moratorium on toll collection for the transport of basic necessities and prime commodities and the suspension of government’s share in port fees to mitigate price hikes amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

During a joint hearing of the Senate committees on ways and means and energy yesterday, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque recommended “the temporary moratorium on toll fee for cargo and delivery vehicles transporting basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) traversing the major expressway.”

She said the DTI is also recommending the suspension of government shares on port and cargo logistics handling costs imposed by the Philippine Ports Authority, Cebu Ports Authority and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

The recommendations are based on the agency’s expectation that price increases would be triggered by the cost of transporting goods as fuel prices go up.

She said manufacturers and retailers of BNPCs have informed the DTI that the current inventory is so far sufficient for the next two months.

To ensure that BNPC prices remain reasonable, she said the DTI has mobilized its field offices to step up the monitoring of prices and supply of goods nationwide.

The DTI is set to convene the National Price Coordinating Council tomorrow to discuss measures to help alleviate the impact of the Middle East conflict.

The DTI is set to meet with 30 partner firms in the logistics industry to ensure that the cost of their services remain low.