118 containers raise safety concerns in Subic
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—A total of 118 refrigerated (reefer) containers carrying confiscated perishable goods and left unclaimed for more than 300 days have become a growing health, environmental, and operational concern at the Subic Bay International Terminal Complex (SBITC), prompting renewed calls for urgent government action.
In a May 12 letter addressed to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chair and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., SBITC management urged the “immediate pullout, disposal, or appropriate processing” of the containers.
The appeal, signed by Henry Dungca, head of Management Services and Government Affairs of SBIT, warned that the prolonged stay of the reefers has already triggered serious operational, environmental, and safety concerns within the port.
“As previously raised in our letter dated April 21 addressed to [Subic] District Collector [Arnaldo] Saulong, the prolonged stay of these reefer containers has already resulted in serious operational, environmental, and safety concerns within the terminal premises,” Dungca said.
Foul odor
SBITC said several containers are now emitting strong foul odors caused by deteriorating and decomposing cargo, posing risks to workers and nearby locators within the freeport.
“The situation has become hazardous not only to SBIT personnel working within the vicinity, but also to neighboring locators and stakeholders operating near the affected areas,” Dungca said.
He added that the continuous power requirements of reefer containers have also strained terminal operations and finances.
“Reefer containers require continuous power supply to preserve cargo integrity. The extended dwell time of these units, coupled with continuously increasing fuel and operational costs, has placed considerable financial strain on terminal resources without corresponding cost recovery,” the letter stated.
SBITC also warned that occupied reefer plug capacity is limiting its ability to accommodate incoming refrigerated cargoes, affecting overall port efficiency.
In a separate letter to Aliño, Brighterday president Alexander Dayrit raised renewed complaints from beach customers regarding persistent foul odors believed to be coming from the New Container Terminal.
“Our beach customers are again complaining about the odor emanating from the New Container Terminal. We have reasons to believe that the remaining abandoned containers have not been pulled out as of this date,” Dayrit said.
He noted that the issue had already been raised in a July 21, 2025 letter addressed to Customs Deputy Commissioner Agaton Teodoro Uvero.
Dayrit also cited findings from an April 13 oversight monitoring conducted by the SBMA Ecology Department, which indicated that abandoned reefer containers remained in the area and continued to emit foul odors.
BOC mandate
In a statement sent to the Inquirer on Friday, the SBMA acknowledged the “heightening public concern” over reefer containers staying beyond their allowable unloading period at the SBITC.
“As a long-standing commitment to maintaining efficient and regular port activity, the SBMA works in close collaboration with all concerned parties,” said Armina Belleza Llamas, officer in charge of the Office of the Deputy Administrator for Corporate Communications.
However, the SBMA clarified that enforcing regulations on allowable container stay periods and addressing overstaying reefer containers fall under the mandate of the BOC.
The agency said it would continue coordinating with concerned agencies and facilitating communication to help resolve the issue, but noted that the implementation of regulatory measures and imposition of penalties are beyond its authority.
“While the SBMA will continue to provide regular reminders, facilitate communication, and coordinate with the concerned agency and/or other applicable government entities to help find solutions regarding this concern, the implementation of required regulatory mechanisms or imposition of appropriate fines/punitive measures is not vested within the SBMA,” it said.
The agency also assured the public that it would continue extending assistance “within legal means” to help restore normal port operations and protect the interests of port users and stakeholders.
