PPA: Digitization, key for swift transactions

10 DECEMBER 2022, MANILA —The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) management believes for faster and corruption-free transaction with the aid of digitization which will greatly benefit the port users nationwide.

In the recently concluded Department of Transportation (DoTr) Strategic Planning held on December 8, 2022, attended by its attached agencies, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago emphasized the importance of expanding PPA's communication infrastructure for transparency and connectivity of projects and transactions across the country.

"This digitization is really our highest priority now at PPA to prevent occurrence of usual problems encountered by people at the port. Once it is fixed and everything is done online, prolonged waiting of passengers will be avoided and inconvenience at trips will be prevented," said GM Santiago.

In said forum, DoTr Secretary Jaime Bautista encouraged officials from aviation, maritime, railway, and land transportation sectors to be receptive to suggestions of each member of the agency for the enhancement and realization of the agency's "Build Better More" goal.

"Feel free to raise issues from other sectors, I highly encourage the Usecs, Asecs, and heads of attached agencies to keep an open mind in the suggestions," said Bautista.

Ensuring that government has smooth and fast process for facilitation of the economy’s further development is included in the 8-point Socioeconomic agenda of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

"Let's revive the economy through digitalization, this is a big step for the continuous improvement of government services. We at PPA, are ready to streamline every transaction at ports and eliminate third-party operators or fixers," Santiago added.

It can be recalled that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) allocated P12.47B for the President’s goal toward digital transformation of all government transactions.

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