Time really flies… Fast!
This as the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) celebrates its 48th Founding Anniversary today with the theme “Kaagapay sa Pag-ahon sa hamon ng Panahon.”
Let us go down memory lane as we highlight the accomplishments of the agency leading to its status as one of the most successful Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations as it continues to be a member of the “billionaires’ club” in terms of dividend remittances.
While there is still a lot of work to be done, the realization of the plans and programs of the previous administration has prepared the PPA for the future as the world recovers from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and as the agency slowly transitions to the new administration.
THE GET GO
In 2016, the PPA changed its mindset from top management down. This drastic paradigm shift was undertaken to implement change and improve the way PPA serves the public, the way the Authority implements its projects, and raises the level of comfort and convenience it provides to the sea-traveling public.
From that time on, PPA personnel slowly embraced and lived the dreams and aspirations of the administration. As such, all other changes were smoothly enforced.
This shift in outlook resulted in positive deviation across the entire agency’s operational aspects and filled the first full year of the new leadership with great possibilities, anticipation, and enthusiasm.
STEPPING UP THE PACE
To continue the positive momentum, the PPA initiated another change in 2017, this time on the very symbol that represents the Authority, its logo.
The reason behind the change is to integrate all aspects of port operations instead of focusing only on the agency’s core business.
Positive results were immediately seen with the Manila Ports, composed of the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), South Harbor, and North Harbor, as it jumped four notches higher in the Top 100 container ports in the world from 36th to 32nd and finished 22nd in the Top 100 container ports in Asia.
The year 2017 will be remembered as the Golden Age of Infrastructure.
As the PPA performed well during that year, it was encouraged to pursue its plans and programs for the following year.
FULL STEAM AHEAD
If the change to the PPA logo was implemented in 2017, the year 2018 was when it was launched, signaling the agency’s rebirth. It was armed with renewed enthusiasm and eagerness to dispense unparalleled public service not only to the port users but to the entire nation.
The agency accomplished much in 2018 starting with the APSN (APEC Port Services Network) Green Port Awards for the Ports of Batangas and Cagayan de Oro.
The Development Academy of the Philippines also recognized the PPA and PMO Misamis Oriental/CDO for fostering a Green Culture for Port Operations and Management under the Government Best Practice Recognition.
The Port Management Offices also got their respective ISO QMS, EMS, and OSH certification.
The awards were testaments to the initiatives of the PPA toward environmental protection. The Authority slowly reaped the benefits of its hard work particularly in complying with the stringent requirements on Environmental Management and Occupational Safety and Health.
During this period, the PPA also emphasized its workforce development, both Organic and Outsourced, by implementing a bridging program to uplift the competencies of existing personnel while giving its outsourced personnel equal opportunity to dangle an entry-level position provided, they have the eligibility requirements.
This year, the PPA injected some P3.3 billion for its infrastructure projects in support of the BBB or Build, Build, Build initiative of the national government.
CRUISE CONTROL
The year 2019 was a milestone year for the PPA as it posted all-time highs in terms of ship calls, passengers, cargo volumes, revenues, total taxes paid, and dividend remittances.
This performance was due to the shift from manual to automated processes, installation of sophisticated, effective, and highly productive port equipment in compliance with the world’s best practices, and most especially the shift in the outlook of employees to public service with reliability, integrity, and accountability.
This enabled the PPA to help the government achieve its goal of giving comfortable lives to every Filipino not only through higher dividend remittances but also through efficient, effective, and fast delivery of port services to stakeholders and port users.
During this period, the PPA invested P4.6 billion in its port projects, the biggest expense since 2010.
The year 2019 was also the second straight year that the PPA scored big in the annual port user satisfaction survey, particularly on the aspect of integrity. It scored a satisfaction rating of 4.43 or the equivalent to Very Satisfactory on top of its port facilities and services rendered.
Undeniably, 2019 was a banner year for the agency.
SPEED BUMP
The following year 2020 was an upbeat one for PPA as it hoped to overshadow its performance from the preceding year until it hit a hump – the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nonetheless, PPA wasted no time and immediately mobilized its personnel and other resources to help the government properly respond to the health emergency initially by remitting in advance its dividend worth about P5 billion, which is 7.5 percent higher than the regular 50 percent required by law.
Despite the pandemic, PPA made sure that all ports remained open to manage the processing and delivery of cargoes, particularly essential products, to the rest of the country and to the country’s foreign trading partners. At the same time, the agency also established the needed border controls as well as safety, security, and travel protocols to prevent any Covid-19 transmission in any PPA port.
In cooperation with the private sector, led by the Lopez Group of Companies, the PPA established two Covid-19 recovery facilities, the first one in the Manila South Harbor in April 2020 and in Port Capinpin in Bataan in October of the same year. These amenities also served as quarantine facilities for on-signer and off-signer seafarers since the two ports were also declared as dedicated crew change hubs and guaranteed the movement of seafarers manning the international fleet. Eventually, several more PPA like Batangas and Davao were declared additional crew change hubs.
PPA likewise granted financial assistance to the critically impacted sector in line with Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act as well as waived and/or reduced port fees and charges in consonance with the Hatid-Tulong Program of the Office of the President for locally stranded individuals.
Several initiatives were undertaken to show the Bayanihan spirit among the PPA PMOs and help as they extended help not only its affected personnel but also to its nearby communities.
PPA was also able to complete more than 27 port projects despite the pandemic without any transmission or casualty due to Covid-19.
The pandemic, however, affected its volumes and revenues. Nonetheless, PPA saw an opportunity to work together with the government and improve its services to the public.
The Covid-19 pandemic slowed down PPA’s path to achieve its 2020 vision for the future. However, with all the learnings from the pandemic, the PPA was prepared more than ever to face the new normal and sustain the progress with the end goal of giving Filipinos comfortable and convenient lives.
MOVING FORWARD
The rebound from the pandemic.
The PPA remained undeterred as it moved forward to deliver its contribution to the advocacies of the government.
Recognizing the things that still needed to be done to provide seamless connectivity between and among the islands, the PPA prepared a plan to ensure that PPA ports are ready for the transition and for the future when the other countries are expected to recover from the adverse effects of the global health emergency.
PPA was able to complete 88 port projects, which included the new Port Operations Building at the Port of Dumaguete, the seven seaport development projects in Bohol, the seaport expansion project in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the eight seaport developments in the twin provinces of the Mindoro Island, and the seaport expansion and development projects in Zamboanga City
The agency also revised its mission-vision statements and calibrated its core values to guide the PPA until 2030.
It also upped the ante by remitting at least 60 percent of its net income to national coffers.
Overall, the PPA exceeded expectations across all aspects of its operations. In fact, the six-year dividend remittance or from 2016-2021 recorded by PPA overshadowed the combined dividend remittances post Edsa Revolution through 2015 and almost tripled the amount registered from 2010 through 2015.
In terms of infrastructure, the PPA completed 248 seaport development projects, which formed part of the total 586 seaport projects completed under the Build-Build-Build program of the Duterte Administration.
In fact, at least seven seaport projects are expected to be inaugurated by the new administration in its first 100 days in office.
This is your PPA, 48 years after!
