The Prudential Customs Brokerage Services Inc., the exclusive cargo handler at the Dumaguete City port, has filed for a rate increase with the Philippine Ports Authority.

The move of PCBSI is part of the application filed by the Philippine Chamber of Arrastre and Stevedoring Operators, of which PCBSI is a member.

They are seeking an increase of 30 percent for general/conventional cargo and 20 percent for containerized cargo.

In a letter to general manager Juan Sta. Ana of the PPA, the PCASO said they are seeking to increase their rates because of “tremendous economic changes that adversely affected the business environment in the Philippines.”

Marcos Arcadio Lauron, secretary general of PCASO, said that, although the impact of the last financial crisis was softened by government initiatives, still the effect on global trade and prices of commodities cannot be ignored.

The PCBSI took over the cargo handling operations at the Dumaguete port in April 2008. Businessmen said that while they charged four times the rate of the previous cargo handling operator, they were happy to note improvements in the cargo handling operations at the port.

Five months after they started operating in Dumaguete, however, they implemented a 15 percent increase because of inflation back in 2007.

Raymond Alarcon, chairman of the PCASO in Zamboanga del Norte, presented their position before the board of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce Inc. last Friday. He said the presentation was a preview to a formal presentation.

The NOCCI board members suggested that the PCBSI should also show their financial statements during the public hearing.

Annie Lee Manese, Dumaguete PPA port manager, said she will call for a public hearing on the application of the PCBSI for a rate increase soon.*AP

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