State-run Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is seeking to increase port police officers in line with the ongoing expansion of ports across the country.
PPA’s port police force plays a crucial role in maintaining safety, order, and peace at PPA ports. They are essential in preventing, responding to, and managing any disasters, unwarranted incidents, or security threats that may arise.
Recently, 31 new port police officers held a graduation ceremony at the PPA Head Office in Manila. Before graduation, these new port police officers underwent a series of training sessions. The Basic Port Police Training Course was conducted at the PPA Training Center in La Union, where the skills, abilities, and dedication of the applicants were tested as the first line of defense at the ports.
The training included port operations, criminal law, marksmanship, firearms safety, water search and rescue, and endurance exercises. Another training session is scheduled for September 2024.
Currently, 270 active port police officers are ensuring the safety and security of major ports across the country. Due to ongoing port expansions, there is a continuing need for additional personnel.
PPA is allocating P16 billion in investment for the expansion and modernization of major port projects in the country over the next four years.
The bulk of the budget was allocated for implementing 14 big-ticket port projects, of which five were located in Luzon, six in Visayas, and three in Mindanao.
Projects located in Luzon include Port Capinpin, Curimao, Jose Panganiban Port, Bologo Pot, and Wharf in Claveria Port of Cagayan.
In the Visayas, port projects include the construction of a Wharf and Operational area in Catacbacan Port in Loon Bohol, Tapal Port expansion project in Ubay, Bohol, New port development projects in Lavezares, Northern Samar, Babatngon Port in Ley, Banago Port improvement in Negros Occidental and Ormoc Port Extension project in Leyte.
The three projects in Mindanao include the construction of a Cargo ship port in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, the upgrading of a general cargo berth in Davao City Port of Sasa, and the Plaridel Port Expansion in Misamis Occidental.
