The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will continue to pursue modernization of four key ports in Visayas and Mindanao, in addition to Davao-Sasa, with the goal of privatizing these maritime hubs.
In his last Christmas message, former PPA general manager Atty. Juan Sta. Ana said the ports authority is “embarking on the further development of the Ports of Iloilo, Cagayan De Oro, General Santos, and Zamboanga to make them viable for privatization.”
Appointed PPA chief in 2010, Sta. Ana resigned end of last year to return to the private sector.
Sta. Ana, who first announced plans to modernize and privatize five major ports, including Davao-Sasa, in 2010, expressed hopes these projects will be carried out in the next five years.
He noted that Davao-Sasa port is already part of the public-private partnership program of the government and is now undergoing bidding with five prospective bidders.
In a separate report to the Governance Commission for Government Owned or Controlled Corporation chairman Cesar Villanueva dated December 29, Sta. Ana said civil works for the ports of Iloilo and General Santos will commence this year, and for the ports of Cagayan De Oro and Zamboanga in 2017.
“By 2019, these four ports are expected to be fully equipped with necessary facilities and equipment for container operations,” Sta. Ana noted.
PPA had privatized the management and operation of 17 passenger terminal buildings last year, in addition to already existing privatized buildings.
As of November 2015, the port authority has completed rehabilitation and development projects at several ports around the country at a cost of P1.048 billion.
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