Rising global oil prices, fueled in part by Middle East tensions, are increasingly pressuring export-oriented firms. The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is acting to shield its locators by boosting logistics efficiency within ecozones, Director General Tereso Panga said.
“We recognize that rising oil and electricity prices will affect the viability of our export locators,” Panga told the Pandesal Forum in Quezon City on Monday, March 23. Geopolitical tensions, inflation, and shifting supply chains, he noted, are also weighing on investment flows and operating costs.
PEZA is promoting expanded use of off-dock container yards within economic zones to ease these pressures. Laden containers can now be delivered directly into ecozones, while empty containers can be returned in the same area, reducing truck turnaround times and fuel consumption. This internal container exchange system allows faster equipment repositioning and cuts unnecessary haulage.
The agency is also encouraging greater use of barging to move goods between ports and ecozones. With several zones near barge-accessible terminals, shipments can bypass congested roads, lowering fuel costs and improving delivery predictability.
Operational flexibility is being enhanced through extended and even round-the-clock cargo processing, including weekends, speeding up turnaround times and avoiding costly delays.
“These measures are within our sphere of influence and are meant to directly reduce logistics costs for our locators,” Panga said.
Despite global headwinds, PEZA reported continued investor confidence, citing government efforts to stabilize fuel supply and ensure business continuity.
