The PPA is celebrating its 47th Founding Anniversary today
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the PPA has dutifully exercised its mandate to be an effective and efficient agent of growth and development. To the credit of its leadership and with the guidance and faith of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, the agency has been contributing resources that are valuable in overcoming the present health and economic challenges.
Following are but some of the good news that have particularly strengthened the agency’s resolve to remain among the solid performers in government’s thrust at recovery and progress.
“PPA proved that unparalleled public service results in positive development not only for the agency but most especially for the national government, which in turn, can provide more for the people towards its desire to give Filipinos comfortable lives”
PPA remitted add’l P221 million for anti-COVID efforts
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has boosted government efforts to fight the pandemic by remitting an additional P221 million to the National Treasury.
The additional amount raises the total dividend remitted to the Government for year 2020 to P3.77 billion representing 57.5% of the agency’s net income for 2020.
A re-computation in its corporate income tax revealed a surplus payment which increased its 2020 net income to P6.55 billion. This allowed the agency to give more to the national coffers.
“PPA is bent on fully supporting the Government in its anti-COVID-19 efforts. This additional dividend remittance will give the National Government additional flexibility in managing our resources for our response efforts,” PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said.
DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, for his part, again lauded this effort by the PPA in helping the government by remitting additional cash inflow, which is critical in its COVID-19 response.
PPA GM elected as IAPH Veep
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago was elected Vice President for Asia, South East and Oceania of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH).
IAPH is a global alliance of ports, representing some 180 ports and some 140 port-related businesses in 90 countries. The member ports together handle well over 60% of the world’s sea-borne trade and nearly 80% of the world’s container traffic. It is a non-profit-making and non-governmental organization (NGO) with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
Recognized as the only international organization representing the voice of the world port industry, IAPH is granted Consultative Status as a Non-governmental Organization (NGO) from five United Nations (UN) specialized agencies and one intergovernmental body.
The consultative status has enabled IAPH to represent at various international fora the views of port managers/directors as well as promote, enhance, and protect the interests of the global port industry.
PPA remitted P17.17 billion dividends as of end 2020
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), as of end 2020, has remitted a total of P17.17 billion, a staggering 108% increase compared to the full-term remittances during the previous administration that totaled P8.270 billion for six years. This was more than double the total dividends the agency remitted from 2010 to 2015, before the Duterte administration.
GM Santiago reported PPA’s strong and steady financial performance to Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade on the day of the virtual signing of the Department of Transportation — Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (DOTr-PACC) Reaffirmation of Integrity and Pledge of Cooperation, and Oath of Honesty held last April.
Santiago said that PPA’s strong financial foundation is anchored on the unparalleled public service and anti-corruption efforts of the agency.
The PPA earlier reported that a total of P14.87 billion in income tax was likewise paid to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) since 2016, wherein the biggest tax paid was recorded in 2018 with a total of P5.90 billion.
This strong performance gives PPA enough financial flexibility to help the country in the current health emergency and carry out other vital infrastructure projects.
Amid pandemic, PPA raised billions in dividend remittance
Despite facing difficulties posed by the pandemic, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) managed to collect billions of pesos in dividend remittance to the national government for fiscal year 2020.
And while existing law mandates PPA to give at least 50% of its net income annually to the government, PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said the PPA Board has approved the initiative to give 56% of its net income for 2020 to the national coffers to assist the government in its COVID-19 response.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the hike in PPA’s dividend remittance would help enable the government to procure the needed doses of COVID-19 vaccines as well as provide assistance to the vulnerable sectors of society.
For 2020, the PPA posted a net income after tax of P6.138 billion, which is 16% below its 2019 figure primarily because of the pandemic. Compared to the target, the amount is above the target of P5.557 billion.
PPA, APEC-PAI sign fresh 5-year pact on port cooperation
Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the APEC-Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center, Port of Antwerp International (APEC-PAI) entered into a new agreement on port cooperation in a bid to create a framework for a mutually beneficial cooperation between the PPA and the APEC-PAI in the field of port training, consultancy, port management and investment opportunities.
The new agreement is expected to establish a technical cooperation on capacity building to enhance the skills, abilities, and knowledge in the management and operation of the port thereby creating an environment of well-trained, knowledgeable and able port professionals for PPA while strengthening the traditional friendship between the parties and its ports.
Signed and sealed late last year, the new 5-year pact greatly benefits the PPA as it enables the development of a framework where APEC/PAI can support PPA in the further development of its training center to further strengthen the knowledge and skill level of both PPA and terminal operator employees especially white and blue collar workers as both parties will engage in the joint development of professional education and training programs.
Tree, mangrove planting now mandatory for every PPA contract, permit issued
True to its commitment to help promote environmental protection and sustainability, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) ordered the mandatory planting of trees and mangroves for every contract, accreditation and permits issued by the agency. The order took effect last February 2.
PPA Administrative Order No. 14-2020, signed by PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago, requires the applicants/grantees of contracts, accreditations and permits, among others, to plant 1,000 seedlings of trees or mangroves in coordination with the local office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) within their respective business locations.
WITH EXPANDED, IMPROVED SALOMAGUE PORT
Tourism, trade get a shot in the arm
Breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding nature is what Salomague Port in Ilocos Sur has been known to offer. These days, with the expanded and much-improved facility in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, it showcases what a determined government effort can do to throw open the gates for tourism, trade, and economic development to a region bursting with endless potential.
Centuries ago, the port has been known to serve as a small commercial hub mostly for fishermen. In modern times a larger pier served bigger boats and passenger ships. But time and neglect have made it a sorry sight for a promising facility.
Last Thursday, July 8, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) formally inaugurated the expanded and much-improved Port of Salomague situated 420 kilometers north of Manila.
The expansion project which employed at least 71 local residents during the construction phase was completed last April 21 will enable the Port of Salomague to accommodate cruise calls by ships that sail out of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and southern China upon the easing of Covid-19 global travel restrictions. Local job generation is expected to boom once the port starts its operations
The project included construction of the reinforced concrete (RC) Platform Back-Up Area and RC Pier Extension was completed from 120 meters to 543 meters. Salomague Port can now accommodate large cruise ships in, and welcome more visitors to the province and the areas.
DOTr Secretary Art Tugade at the inaugural said that the expanded and improved Port of Salomague in the Municipality of Cabugao is the “key” to unlock Ilocos Sur’s growth in the areas of tourism, trade, and economic development, a fulfillment of the government’s promise to improve the port.
The whole of Ilocos Sur and the nearby Province of Ilocos Norte, according to Secretary Tugade, will finally reap the benefits of the expanded and improved seaport, welcoming cruise ships and bigger fishing vessels.
In addition, the Port will help the Ilocos Region reap employment and other economic benefits from tourism once the country eases into the “new normal” and travel restrictions are relaxed.
“Promise ‘ho, pagtapos ng pandemya at dumating ‘yung mga turista, dapat handa ‘ho tayo. Pagkat ‘yung pagdating din ng benepisyo sa turismo ay nandiyan din kaya dapat handang-handa na tayo,” said Tugade.
Strategically located near the historical sites and beaches of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, the Salomague Port is eyed to be one of the country’s ports of call for cruise ships and is expected to increase cruise calls to the country with its proximity to the ports of Hong Kong and South China.
Secretary Tugade credited the efforts of PPA General Manager Jay Santiago for the many projects that were accomplished and have benefitted the maritime industry.
“I congratulate PPA General Manager Jay Santiago, who has given me pride as head of DOTr. Many projects have been inaugurated and celebrated through the efforts and industry of Jay Santiago and PPA. I assure you, my dear friend, and in public, I accept and I admit that with your projects and your dedication indeed, you help make me and DOTr look good. We look good because of people like you. We look good because of institutions like PPA,” said Sec. Tugade.
Early last year, Port Salomague was visited by one of the world’s largest passenger ships – Spectrum Of The Seas, unloading 5,000 tourists who soaked in perfectly preserved colonial Spanish architecture, picturesque town squares, crystal-clear waters, secluded fine sand beaches, and some of The Philippines best snorkeling and scuba diving sites. Royal Caribbean has confirmed further calls to the port in the years to come, alongside ships from Genting Cruises and Noble Caledonia’s expedition ship Caledonian Sky.
As Secretary Tugade said, the people and governments in the region will just need to be ready when the time comes with the influx of visitors and the growth of businesses.
Cagayan de Oro Port terminal building
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) inaugurated the country’s biggest port passenger terminal building at the port of Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental on July 15, 2019.
The busiest port in Northern Mindanao now has a two-story terminal that has a floor area of 5,597 square meters, or about half a hectare. It can accommodate 3,000 passengers, or triple its original capacity, and boasts of such amenities as a play area for children, drinking stations, ecumenical prayer rooms, urgent medical room, food stalls, and pasalubong centers.
The Port of Cagayan is part of the central nautical highway where Roll-on Roll-off transport system links Mindanao to Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, Jagna and Tagbiliran in Visayas, and Manila and Batangas in Luzon
Tagbilaran Port
The newly constructed Tagbilaran port passenger terminal building II was inaugurated last April 14. The two-storey terminal can accommodate1110, adding 613 to the previous total passenger capacity of 497. The TPort project is one of the 22 port infrastructure projects of the DOTr and the PPA in the provicne of bohol of which 16 have been completed while 6 aare ongoing.
The PPA said that the construction of the second terminal is a milestone for the seaport as it was structurally damaged during the 2013 earthquake.
PPA News
P500 million ETMS up for bids
In another shot at better service through digitalization, the PPA is seeking bidders for the electronic terminal management system (ETMS) with unified e-ticketing capabilities.
The agency will allocate P500 million of the 2021 corporate budget to commission the supply, deliver and installation of an ETMS
Pre-bid conference is set for July 15 and submission of bids until July 30
The ETMS will offer online and real-time application for passengers, vessel operators, port service providers and the ports authority. It will provide digitized and systematized process of recording and simultaneous submission of passenger manifest, and vessel voyage information which can effectively be scaled and extended to support future phases of the terminal management process at the PPA port terminals, PPA said.
The ETMS will streamline payment and collection of port fees (terminal and cargo roll-on-roll-off), harmonizing it with existing e-payment system
PPA bans single use plastic products in ports
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) bans the unnecessary use of single-use plastic products in all facilities under its jurisdiction.
This is in compliance with National Solid Waste Management Commission Resolution No. 1363s. 2020 dated 12 February 2020.
Starting July 18, the single-use plastic products prohibited to be used in any facility controlled by PPA include: Plastic cups thinner than 0.2 mm; Plastic drinking straws; Plastic spoons; plastic forks; plastic knives; Plastic labo and thinned-filmed sando bags thinner than 15 microns.
PPA is imposing the initiative in consonance with existing rules issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Crackdown against fake travel docs, S-PASS at Batangas Port intensifies
Authorities at the Port Management Office of Batangas nabbed two (2) individuals at Batangas Port for allegedly providing fake travel documents to passengers in exchange for some cash.
This after six (6) individuals were apprehended for presenting fake RT-PCR results and S-PaSS prior to their travel onboard 2GO vessel bound for Caticlan recently.
The cases were already turned over to Batangas City Police Station.
PPA Port Management Office of Batangas, one of the busiest ports nationwide amid the pandemic, remains committed in its war against fixers, fake travel docs, and other illegal activities to ensure that only those who properly complied with the travel protocols shall be allowed to proceed with their booked trips.
Extending a helping hand
The Port Police force of the Port Management Office of NCR-South, in partnership with the Fraternal Order of Eagles-Grand Seaport Club, recently distributed relief items to the victims of a fire that gutted 500 structures and affected about a thousand families at a residential area in Barangay 650 located within the South Harbor Expanded Port Zone (SHEPZ).
With the threat of COVID-19 continues to hound the entire country, proper physical distancing was enforced to reduce the risk of possible infection during the distribution.
This initiative upholds PPA standards of corporate governance by simply allowing its personnel to become responsible citizens for the port community or whenever the call of duty requires.
Cargo volume soars in the first 5 months of 2021
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) posted positive performance in the first 5 months of the year as total cargo volume registered a 15.5% hike from 86.377 million metric tons (mmt) in 2020 to 99.776 mmt this year.
The export sector posted a huge 70% increase in volume while Import cargoes soared by 23% for the period
Containerized cargo traffic went up 18% to 2.984 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) compared to the 2.533 million TEUs handled in the same timeframe last year.
Shipcalls handled 418 more calls for the first five months of the year to 149,366 against the 148,948 shipcalls listed last year. Foreign shipcalls registered a 23.65% growth rate.
Yard utilization at the country’s top international gateways remain under optimal condition with Manila International Container Terminal posting the highest utilization rate of 62.13% followed by Manila South Harbor with a utilization rate of 56.03% and Manila North Harbor’s 45.20%.
PPA removes silt
Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Ports Authority continues to boost operational capability of ports by removing silts, thus, improving water depth to accommodate bigger vessels.
The deeper draft also enhances handling and maneuvering for the safe navigation of vessels calling at the ports.
The PPA has removed a total of 311,000 cubic meters of silts from various ports under the Port Management Offices of Bohol, Mindoro, NCR-North, and Eastern Leyte/Samar.
This year, the PPA has allotted some P500 million for dredging projects nationwide.
Taytay, El Salvador shores in Misamis Oriental planted to mangrove
The Port Management Office of Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro planted some 2,000 propagules as part of their Anniversary celebration and their contribution to the Earth Day celebration.
Led by PMO MO/C Port Manager Isidro V. Butaslac, Jr, PMO personnel joined the accredited port service providers in planting mangrove propagules in a mangrove site in Taytay,El Salvador, Misamis Oriental.
The more than 2,000 propagules will serve as breeding grounds for marine organisms, shelter for some wildlife, and a natural buffer between land and sea to prevent shoreline erosion, filter pollutants and improve seawater quality, thus, sustain, conserve and protect the marine ecosystem.
This activity is also part of the port service providers’ continuing compliance with the PPA Administrative Order No. 14-2020, or the “Mandatory Tree and/or Mangrove Planting as Condition for the issuance of Accreditation, Certificate of Registration, Appointment, or Award or Contract or Renewal/Extension thereof.”
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