The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) was created on July 11, 1974 with the issuance of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 505. This PD was subject of several amendments one of which is PD No. 857 which was issued on December 23, 1975. Section 6 (v) of PD No. 857 empowers the PPA “to create or alter its own organization or Port Management Unit, and staff such an organization or Port Management Unit (PMU) with appropriate and qualified personnel in accordance with what may be deemed proper or necessary to achieve the objectives of the Authority”.

The PPA Citizen’s Charter is in support of the government’s program to promote integrity, accountability, proper management of public affairs and public property as well as to establish effective practices aimed at the prevention of graft and corruption in government.

The Charter is presented by Head Office and Field Office frontline services.

A.     Background Information

A.1   Mandate

PPA was created through Presidential Decree (PD) No. 505, otherwise known as the “Philippine Port Authority Decree of 1974”, issued on July 11, 1974.  Under the said PD, PPA is given general jurisdiction and control over all persons, groups and entities that already existing or are still being proposed to be established within the different port districts throughout the country.

PPA, in coordination with other government agencies, is also mandated to prepare and annually update a “Ten-Year Philippine Port Development Program” which shall embody the integrated plan for the development of the country’s ports and harbors.

However, recognizing the need to integrate and coordinate port planning, development, control and operations at the national level while at the same time promoting the growth of regional port bodies which may be more familiar with the peculiarities and potentials of their respective localities, PD No. 857, or the “Revised Charter of the Philippine Ports Authority”, was issued on November 16, 1978.

PD No. 857 expanded the concept of port administration not only to focus on revenue collection, harbor maintenance, and cargo handling but also to include emphasis on the role of ports as key to spurring regional growth.

In 1978, PPA’s charter was further amended by Executive Order No. 513, granting police authority to the PPA; creating a National Ports Advisory Council (NPAC) to strengthen cooperation between the government and the private sector; and empowering the PPA to exact reasonable administrative fines for specific violations of its rules and regulations.  Other amendments were also introduced to further define the role of PPA.

"To establish, develop, regulate, manage and operate a rationalized national port system in support of trade and national development"

       "By 2020, PPA shall have provided port services of global standards"

A.3   Mission

1. Provide reliable and responsive services in ports, sustain development of communities and the environment, and be a model corporate agency of the government.
2. Establish a mutually beneficial, equitable, and fair relationship with partners and service providers.
3. Provide meaningful and gainful employment while creating a nurturing environment that promotes continuous learning and improvement.
4. Establish a world-class port operation that is globally competitive adding value to the country's image and reputation  

As per Article II Section 2 of PD 857, the objectives of PPA in implementing an integrated program for the planning, development, financing, and operation of ports or port districts for the entire country, are as follows:

1. Coordinate, streamline, improve and optimize the planning, development, construction, maintenance, and operations of ports and its facilities;
2. Ensure the smooth flow of water-borne commerce passing through the country’s ports, whether public or private for the conduct of domestic and international trade;
3. Promote regional development through the dispersal of industries and economic activities throughout the different regions;
4. Foster better inter-island sea borne commerce and foreign trade;
5. Redirect and reorganize port administration to the broader function of total port district development, including the full and efficient utilization of port’s hinterland and tributary areas; and
6. Ensure that all income and revenues accruing for the use of facilities and services provided by the Authority will be adequate to defray the cost of providing such facilities and services, and that a reasonable return on the assets employed by the Authority is realized.

In more concrete terms and as enshrined in its vision and mission statements, PPA aims for the following:

1. To enhance accessibility through seamless connectivity with other transport modes;
2. To provide facilities and equipment of internationally accepted standards;
3. To continually improve the delivery of port services;
4. To reduce client’s cost of business transaction in the ports;
5. To maximize benefits from the privatization scheme;
6. To be recognized for its own international best practices on its core processes (design, build, operate and maintain);
7. To integrate port community development and environmental protection measures in the development and operations of the ports;
8. To simplify business transactions in the ports;
9. To contribute significantly to increased trade and tourism;
10. To become financially sufficient to support its development programs.
11. To raise employees’ competence to global standards; and
12. To nurture a positive work environment to improve employee productivity and satisfaction.

A.5      Functions

Based on Article IV Section 6 of its amended charter, the following are the corporate duties of PPA:

1. To formulate in coordination with the National Economic and Development Authority a comprehensive and practicable Port Development for the State and to program its implementation, renew and update the same annually in coordination with other national agencies;
2. To supervise, control, regulate, construct, maintain, operate, and provide such facilities or services as are necessary in the ports vested in, or belonging to  PPA;
3. To prescribe rules and regulation, procedures, and guidelines governing the establishment, construction, maintenance, and operations of all other ports, including private ports in the country;
4. To license, control, regulate, supervise any construction or structure within any Port District; 
5. To provides services (whether on its own, by contract, or otherwise) within the Port District and the approaches thereof, including but not limited to berthing, towing, mooring, moving, slipping, or docking any vessel; loading or discharging any vessel; and, sorting, weighing, measuring, warehousing, or otherwise, handling goods. 
6. To exercise control of or administer any foreshore rights or leases which may be vested in PPA from time to time;
7. To coordinate with the Bureau of Lands or any other government agency or corporation, in the development of any foreshore area;
8. To control, regulate and supervise pilotage and the conduct of pilots in any Port District;
9. To provide or assist in the provision of training programs and training facilities for its staff of port operators and users for the efficient discharge of its functions, duties, and responsibilities; and,
10. To perform such acts or provide such services as may be deemed proper or necessary to carry out and implement the provisions of the PD, including the adoption of necessary measures to remedy congestion in any government port, and in coordination with the Bureau of Customs in the case of ports of entry (as amplified by Exec. Order No. 513).

A.6 Core Values

   E xcellence. Professionalism, Efficiency

   C reativity. Innovation, Adaptability

   C ustomer Satisfaction. Customer Focus

   R esponsible Citizenship Sustainability, Accountability, Risk Management

   E thics. Integrity within moral bounds.

   S incerity. Commitment to fulfill mandate.

   T eamwork. Synergy of working together. Esprit d' coprs

A.7 Strategy Map

        We, the officials and employees of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), commit to:

Please let us know how we could serve you better through:

• Accomplishing our Feedback Form and dropping the same in our Suggestion Box/es (see Annex “A”).
• Sending your feedback electronically through www.ppa.com.ph.
• Approaching our Officer of the Day or our Public Assistance and Complaints Desk in any of our PPA Offices.

Feedback Forms and email addresses are available, as follows (or refer to the attached PPA Directory)

Suggestion boxes are located at conspicuous places at the different PPA Offices

SCOPE/COVERAGE

The PPA Citizen’s Charter shall apply to all external clients of the PPA affected by the delivery of frontline services in all PPA Offices nationwide. 

DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terms as used in this Charter are defined as follows:

1. “Authority” refers to the Philippine Ports Authority
2. “Port District” refers to the territorial jurisdiction under the control, supervision or ownership of the Authority over an area (land or sea), declared as such in accordance with Section 5 of Presidential Decree 857 including but not limited to any Port within said District
3. “Port” refers to a place where ships may anchor or tie up for the purpose of shelter, repair, loading or discharge of cargo, or for other such activities connected with water-borne commerce, and including all the land and water areas and the structures, equipment and facilities related to these functions.
4. “Pier” refers to any structure built into the sea but not parallel to the coast line and includes any stage, stair landing place, landing stage, jetty, floating barge or pontoon, and any bridge or other works connected therewith.
5. “Vessel” refers to any ship or boat, or any description of a vessel or boat.
6. “Goods” includes animals, carcasses, baggage, and any movable property of any kind.
7. “Due” includes harbor fees, tonnage and wharfage dues, berthing charges, and port dues and any other dues or fees imposed by virtue of existing laws.
8. “Rates” refer to any rates or charges including any toil or rent under existing law or imposed by the Authority.