State-run Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is shifting its focus to sustainable port operations to minimize carbon footprint, following initiatives being undertaken in first world countries.
“We are now shifting our focus towards sustainable port operations to reduce our carbon footprint similar to initiatives being undertaken in first world countries. This includes the adoption of policies including the use of renewable energy such as solar power, reduction of fossil fuel usage for port equipment, using energy-efficient technologies, and the adoption of digital systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Jay Santiago, PPA general manager, told Malaya Business in a Viber message.
Since 2016, PPA has continuously laid the groundwork and implemented various measures for “Green Port” initiatives, taking more decisive steps in combating climate change.\

Port Development Roadmap
Among the steps undertaken by the PPA is the adoption of a 25-year Port Development Roadmap in close coordination with stakeholders like cargo-handling operators, local shipping line service providers, and trucking operators.
Santiago said significant progress has been made in PPA ports through further collaboration and alignment with global sustainability frameworks that are essential to achieve carbon neutrality. “Ports must not only facilitate commerce but also become beacons of sustainability, innovation, and resilience,” he added.
More than 12 million trees and mangroves have been planted as the agency’s contribution to addressing climate change and strengthening its tree-planting initiatives, in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to integrate reforestation with disaster mitigation projects, according to Santiago.
PPA also integrates renewable energy and decarbonization strategies in its port infrastructure development program. These efforts are part of a modernization initiative focused on investing in innovative technologies that support sustainability.
Offshore Wind
Last year, the PPA, in partnership with the Department of Energy, announced the continuation of offshore wind energy projects across the country through the strategic repurposing and modernization of port infrastructure.
The initial focus will be on three priority ports: the Port of Currimao in Ilocos Norte, the Port of Batangas in Sta. Clara, Batangas City, and the Port of Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte.
In a letter to DOE dated September 13, 2024, Santiago stated that the agency will promptly commence detailed engineering design and take essential steps to upgrade the designated ports, ensuring they are fully equipped for the installation, commissioning, and ongoing operations required for OSW energy projects.
DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla, in a statement on September 22, 2024, said these ports will serve as vital logistical hubs throughout the lifecycle of offshore wind projects – from installation to commissioning and decommissioning. Upgrading these facilities ensures that the Philippines is ready to accommodate the increasing demands of OSW projects, which are expected to deliver significant contributions to the country’s energy security and economic stability.
To ensure these ports meet the specific requirements of OSW projects, the PPA will begin a comprehensive feasibility study focused on infrastructure development. These OSW projects have a combined capacity of over 40,000 megawatts.
As part of the Green Port program, the PPA is integrating clean and renewable energy sources at ports. This includes installing solar-powered lighting and replacing compact fluorescent lamps and high-pressure sodium lamps with energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) lighting systems in office and terminal buildings. The PPA said it has introduced shore-based power supply, also known as cold ironing, currently implemented at the Port of Cagayan de Oro.
This system allows vessels to receive electricity from the shore while their main auxiliary engines are turned off, helping to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions. Ongoing green port projects include the ports of Sasa in Davao City, Currimao in Ilocos Norte, Capinpin in Bataan, Catagbacan in Bohol, Siargao in Surigao del Norte, Lavonia in Cagayan, Plaridel in Misamis Occidental, and Balogo in Camarines Norte.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Planning and Project Development Timothy John Batan of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in a previous interview said the agency has a list of OSW ports, including retail offshore wind ports, “which we are actively working on in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank.”
In 2022, the DOTr and its attached line agencies—the Maritime Industry Authority, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Cebu Port Authority—initiated advocacies for ‘green’ port and shipping practices, which include the ban on single-use plastics and the cleanup of the country’s waters.