LOCAL businessman Pedro Q. Dela Cruz is asking Gov. Arnold I. Palacios to “save” Rota residents from the high cost of living “caused by the exorbitant charges on shipments” at Rota West Harbor.
In a letter to the governor, Dela Cruz, owner of Rota Merchandising Corporation and agent of Seabridge Inc., said over the years, “there [have been] abundant … flagrant violations” by Rota Terminal & Transfer, the lone company operating stevedoring services at the Rota seaport.
Dela Cruz told Palacios: “It is incumbent upon your office and the Commonwealth Ports Authority to take immediate action to terminate RT&T’s contract.”
By taking a “corrective measure,” Dela Cruz said the administration “will really stand out as a defender of the Rota people.”
Dela Cruz said the people of Rota are very hopeful that the governor will “take positive measures to correct the current unscrupulous business practices of RT&T.”
He said many complaints have been submitted to the previous CPA management, but these fell on deaf ears due to RT&T’s “close affiliation with the former administration.”
Asked for comment, a CPA official who declined to be identified said the board will make a decision on RT&T’s lease in its next meeting later this week.
Dela Cruz told the governor that right now, the cost of goods on Rota has risen “astronomically high due to the exorbitant charges for freight and stevedoring.”
“The cost of living on Rota is a nightmare so some families are practicing frugal purchases of staple goods and are living from paycheck to paycheck to make both ends meet on a biweekly basis. It is disheartening to note that some families take turns in buying groceries and divide [these] among themselves in order to stretch their meager pay,” he added.
Dela Cruz provided the governor with documents supporting his claims.
For example, Dela Cruz said, the tariff rate for a 20-foot container is $350, which should already include equipment and labor charges. However, he said RT&T imposes additional equipment and labor costs on top of the $350. This is also true with the cost of a 40-foot container, he added. The tariff rate is $650, which should also include equipment and labor costs, but RT&T charges an additional amount for equipment and labor, Dela Cruz added.
Dela Cruz attached a copy of the stevedoring rules, which indicate that the fee for unloading of containers and bulk cargoes already includes the costs of equipment and labor.
Variety was unable to get a comment from RT&T.
