Citizen’s Charter of the PPA

A.     Background Information

A.1   Mandate

PPA was created through Presidential Decree (PD) No. 505, otherwise known as the “Philippine Port Authority Decree of 1974”, issued on July 11, 1974.  Under the said PD, PPA is given general jurisdiction and control over all persons, groups and entities that already existing or are still being proposed to be established within the different port districts throughout the country.

PPA, in coordination with other government agencies, is also mandated to prepare and annually update a “Ten-Year Philippine Port Development Program” which shall embody the integrated plan for the development of the country’s ports and harbors.

However, recognizing the need to integrate and coordinate port planning, development, control and operations at the national level while at the same time promoting the growth of regional port bodies which may be more familiar with the peculiarities and potentials of their respective localities, PD No. 857, or the “Revised Charter of the Philippine Ports Authority”, was issued on November 16, 1978.

PD No. 857 expanded the concept of port administration not only to focus on revenue collection, harbor maintenance, and cargo handling but also to include emphasis on the role of ports as key to spurring regional growth.

In 1978, PPA’s charter was further amended by Executive Order No. 513, granting police authority to the PPA; creating a National Ports Advisory Council (NPAC) to strengthen cooperation between the government and the private sector; and empowering the PPA to exact reasonable administrative fines for specific violations of its rules and regulations.  Other amendments were also introduced to further define the role of PPA.

A.2      Vision

“By 2030, customers doing business in our ports shall experience full and sustained, productivity, efficiency, comfort, connectivity, safety and security”.

A.3   Mission

“We commit to provide reliable and responsive services in our ports, sustain development of our port communities and the environment, and be a model corporate agency of the government.”

A.4   Objectives

As per Article II, Section 2 of P.D. No. 857, the objectives of PPA in implementing an integrated program for the planning, development, financing, and operation of Ports or Port Districts for the entire country, are as follows:

To coordinate, streamline, improve and optimize the planning, development, financing, construction, maintenance and operation of ports, port facilities, port physical plants, and all equipment used in connection with the operation of ports.

To ensure the smooth flow of waterborne commerce passing through the country’s ports whether public or private, in the conduct of international and domestic trade.

To promote regional development through the dispersal of industries and commercial activities throughout the different regions.

To foster inter-island seaborne commerce and foreign trade.

To redirect and recognize port administration beyond its specific and traditional functions of harbor development and cargo handling operations to the broader function of total port district development, including encouraging the full and efficient utilization of the port’s hinterland and tributary areas.

To ensure that all income and revenues accruing out of dues, rates, and charges for the use of facilities and services provided by PPA are properly collected and accounted for by PPA, that all such income and revenues will be adequate to defray the cost of providing the facilities and services (inclusive of operating and maintenance cost, administration and overhead) of the Port Districts, and to ensure that a reasonable return on the assets employed shall be realized.

In more concrete terms and as enshrined in its vision and mission statements, PPA aims for the following:

1.      To complete the modernization of 10 ports by 2010;

2.      To improve the delivery of port services;

3.      To reduce client’s costs of business transaction in the ports;

4.      To integrate port community development and environmental protection measures in the development and operation of the ports;

5.      Maintain revenue enough to finance port development and operation and meet obligations as they fall due;

6.      Provide facilities and equipment of internationally accepted standards; and,

7.      To provide a viable working environment conducive to improving employee productivity and satisfaction.

A.5      Functions

Based on Article IV Section 6 of its amended charter, the following are the corporate duties of PPA:

1.      To formulate in coordination with the National Economic and Development Authority a comprehensive and practicable Port Development for the State and to program its implementation, renew and update the same annually in coordination with other national agencies;

2.       To supervise, control, regulate, construct, maintain, operate, and provide such facilities or services as are necessary in the ports vested in, or belonging to  PPA;

3.       To prescribe rules and regulation, procedures, and guidelines governing the establishment, construction, maintenance, and operations of all other ports, including private ports in the country;

4.      To license, control, regulate, supervise any construction or structure within any Port District; 

5.      To provides services (whether on its own, by contract, or otherwise) within the Port District and the approaches thereof, including but not limited to –

berthing, towing, mooring, moving, slipping, or docking any vessel;

loading or discharging any vessel; and, sorting, weighing, measuring, warehousing, or otherwise, handling goods. 

6.      To exercise control of or administer any foreshore rights or leases which may be vested in PPA from time to time;

7.      To coordinate with the Bureau of Lands or any other government agency or corporation, in the development of any foreshore area;

8.      To control, regulate and supervise pilotage and the conduct of pilots in any Port District;

9.      To provide or assist in the provision of training programs and training facilities for its staff of port operators and users for the efficient discharge of its functions, duties, and responsibilities; and,

10. To perform such acts or provide such services as may be deemed proper or necessary to carry out and implement the provisions of the PD, including the adoption of necessary measures to remedy congestion in any government port, and in coordination with the Bureau of Customs in the case of ports of entry (as amplified by Exec. Order No. 513).