THE European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines-Southern Mindanao Business Chapter (ECCP-SMBC) urged domestic shipping companies to secure the International Standards Organization (ISO) certification.
ECCP-SMBC executive director Antonio Peralta said shippers must strive to be efficient in their logistic service by investing in equipment and their logistics processes.
"They also have to use modern boats, equipped with technology because sometimes karaan pa kaayo ang gamit nila (they use obsolete equipment)," he said.
He said when companies are ISO-certified, they must follow standards in the operation.
"While it is true that it is an added cost but you also have to look at it in terms of improved services, it is going to be worth it," he said.
He said with the current cost of domestic shipping, customers will also be willing to pay if the service is efficient.
"Right now, you are paying the high rates but ang service, bati (but the service is bad)," he added.
He said some of the commodities that are being transported are perishable such as vegetables and agricultural products and are prone to mishandling.
"Kung pangitang handling, pagdating ng product doon, you get paid less because the value of your product goes down (If the handling is poor and when the products arrive at the destination in a bad condition, then the value goes down)," Peralta said.
On Friday, January 31, the ECCP met with the logistic companies in the city and regional offices of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Mindanao Development Authority, and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. to gather concerns on the logistics industry.