JANUARY 31, 2017, MANILA—The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has empowered Asian Terminals, Inc.-Batangas (ATI-B) to manage the berthing assignments in Batangas Port Phase 1, one of the country’s busiest passenger terminal.
ATI-B is the operator of Batangas Port Phase 1 as well as the cargo handling service provider of Phase II or the international container terminal of the same port.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago signed Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2017 transferring the authority to approve and issue berth assignments at the Port of Batangas, Phase I starting Wednesday, February 1, 2017.
Based on the directive, all Notices of Arrival and Applications for Berth/Anchorage at the said Port shall be filed with the ATI-B. The common-user and first-come, first-serve basis shall be applied in determining berthing priorities of vessel. The ATIB shall also be responsible for the issuance of orders to vessels that need to be shifted to the anchorage area.
The order also prohibits undertaking repairs at berth to ensure maximum utilization of berths.
Meanwhile, the PPA through PMO Batangas will retain its oversight authority and regulatory powers over berth management to ensure efficient management of berthing facilities and the smooth flow of cargo and passengers in and out of the port.
The Port Authority shall likewise have the power to collect port charges from vessels, issue departure clearances to vessels and to resolve conflict of berthing assignments arising from emergency, crisis, natural calamities, strikes and pier congestion.
Ro-Ro and fastcraft vessels call at the Port of Batangas (Phase 1) transporting commodities and passengers to and from Luzon, Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (Mimaropa) economic corridor as well as access to the Visayas region. The port handles the biggest Ro-Ro, Ropax and fastcraft trips on a daily basis.
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