Marcos reappoints Santiago as PPA general manager

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has reappointed Jay Santiago as general manager of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), tasking him to automate port operations and streamline logistics costs.

Santiago yesterday said he was designated by the President to lead the PPA again, a post he held under the Duterte administration.

“I thank President Bongbong Marcos for his trust and confidence in entrusting the management of the Philippine Ports Authority to us once again,” Santiago said.

“I am deeply humbled. I know that this is not just about me, or just the PPA’s management team, but also about the hardworking employees of PPA whose dedication and commitment to service shine through,” he added.

Santiago said he was directed by Marcos to raise the efficiency of ports, both in terms of service and infrastructure.

Apart from this, the PPA chief was tasked to transfer port operations, as well as management, to digital channels to simplify procedures for stakeholders.

“We commit to His Excellency our unrelenting effort and determination to improve and bring our ports to even greater heights, both in terms of services and infrastructure, with special focus on his mandate for the digitalization of port operations and management for greater port efficiency, reasonable logistics costs and enhanced comfort and safety for our countrymen,” Santiago said.

Upon his appointment as transport chief, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista instructed the PPA to work on reducing shipping and travel costs without compromising the quality of its services.

Santiago replaced PPA officer-in-charge Francisquiel Mancile. He had served as former general counsel of state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. before his transfer to the port industry.

The new PPA chief obtained his humanities undergraduate and law degrees from the University of the Philippines. He served as senior and managing partner of Feria Tantoco Robeniol Santiago law office prior to his public career, specializing in commercial law mainly for corporate clients.

Santiago takes over an agency that saw its profit jump by nine percent to P5.02 billion in the first semester, from P4.61 billion in the same period a year ago, on the resurgence in freight and passenger volumes.

However, cargo throughput facilitated by the PPA dipped by one percent to 125.49 million metric tons, from 127.34 MMT, as export volume slid by 14 percent due to the decline in foreign cargo.

Meanwhile, Marcos also appointed retired Maj Gen. Juvymax Uy as deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Customs. Uy is a member of Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989.

Prior to his latest appointment, he served as commander of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division.

He was lauded for leading 6ID troops in neutralizing terrorist groups and communist rebels in Central Mindanao. – Helen Flores