PPA to pursue major port projects

MANILA, Philippines - The state-run Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is set to pursue major port projects nationwide this year including ports damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda in preparation for the integration of member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year.

PPA general manager Juan Sta. Ana said the government is committed to rebuild the port facilities damaged by Yolanda last Nov. 8 and at the same time pursue the modernization of the ports of Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, General Santos and Zamboanga.

Sta. Ana said the agency is also pursuing the privatization of the port of Davao.

 â€œWe are expected to undertake missionary port projects in support of the government’s social reform agenda,” he added.

He pointed out that PPA is continuing the simplification of its processes and reducing the processing time of its front-line transactions as well as the implementation of its rationalization plan.

He added that the agency is also pursuing the leveling up of its recruitment processes to ensure that PPA is adequately manned by personnel who more than measure up to the requirements of the job.

With the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in mind, Sta. Ana said the agency has identified the major projects to be undertaken this year.

The AEC is the goal of regional economic integration by 2015 including the establishment of a single market and production base as well as a highly competitive economic region.

The cooperation hopes to establish a region of equitable economic development and a region fully integrated into the global economy.

The AEC areas of cooperation include human resources development and capacity building; recognition of professional qualifications; closer consultation on macroeconomic and financial policies; trade financing measures; enhanced infrastructure and communications connectivity; development of electronic transactions through e-ASEAN; integrating industries across the region to promote regional sourcing; and enhancing private sector involvement for the building of the AEC.

In short, the AEC would transform ASEAN into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labor, and freer flow of capital.

“This year, we are expected to introduce breakthrough changes in our policies particularly in the streamlining of our requirements, more deployment of technology-driven processes to improve the delivery of our services and reform in the modality of adjusting cargo-handling tariff and other charges and fees,” Sta. Ana said.

According to him, it is imperative for the PPA to introduce reforms against the backdrop of an impending ASEAN economic integration by 2015.

 â€œWe have to be competitive in our facilities, processes, services and manpower skills to be able to take advantage of the immense opportunities that a single Asean Economic Community would offer,” Sta. Ana added.