High logistics cost in the country tops the wish list of domestic manufacturers for President Marcos Jr. to address in his upcoming State of the Nation Address.
In a statement, the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) Chairperson Elizabeth H. Lee said high logistics expenses in the Philippines are not purely a fuel price issue; they are heavily driven by port congestion.
Aside from port congestion, FPI said redundant local government pass-through fees, and other inefficiencies also contributed to the high logistics cost in the country.
“Streamlining operational friction points will directly lower input costs, improve supply chain reliability, and make local goods more competitive,” said Lee.
Other items in FPI’s wish list include lower power and utility costs, accelerating strategic infrastructure spending, competitive investment framework for industrialization, e-governance, and anti-corruption drive.
“The industry looks forward to the President finishing what he started, ensuring that this anti corruption drive translates every peso of infrastructure spending into resilient, high quality projects that truly benefit the Filipino people and strengthen the nation as a whole,” said Lee.
Meanwhile, FPI reiterated its commendation for the Bureau of Customs to continue building a strong momentum—protecting local businesses from unfair, illicit competition while securing vital national revenues that fund priority public needs. “Support for BOC initiatives must continue,” FPI urged.
