20 MAY 2021, MANILA—Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) continues to bring in positive developments one after the other.
This, after PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago was recently elected Vice President for Asia, South East and Oceania of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH).
In a letter dated 13 May 2021 signed by IAPH Secretary-General Masahiko Furuichi, the PPA was informed about the result of the Voting of Confidence by the IAPH members which was undertaken from 12 April to 03 May 2021.
“I am pleased to inform you that Mr. Jay Daniel R. Santiago, General Manager of the Philippine Ports Authority, Philippines was elected as Vice President of IAPH from 2021-2023,” the letter stated.
“Voting result was duly approved by the Legal Counsellors,” the letter further stated.
Santiago, on the other hand, after reading the content of the letter, said the development is both an opportunity and a challenge for the entire PPA organization.
“This is a great milestone for the agency since all the positive changes being implemented by the agency are likewise being recognized internationally,” Santiago said.
“PPA, with the support of its entire workforce and led by the strong-willed DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, is fully committed to working even harder and better for the Philippines to continue to be globally recognized as a maritime power,” Santiago stressed.
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.
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