The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has rolled out its integrated management system (IMS) in more ports in the country to facilitate vessel entrance and clearance (VEC) processes.
PPA Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 04-2018, No. 05-2018, No. 06-2018, and No. 08-2018 implement the IMS to hasten VEC processes and supervise cargo withdrawal and entry at the marine and terminal services (MTS) of the Port Management Offices (PMOs) in Puerto Princesa, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, and Davao.
MCs No. 04-2018, No. 05-2018, No. 06-2018, and No. 08-2018 took effect on April 3, April 17, April 10, and May 15, respectively.
“It is the policy of PPA to establish and implement an Integrated Management System which aims to: reduce environmental impact from port activities; protect the well-being of all interested parties; and continually improve the quality of port operations and services,” the MCs quote PPA’s IMS Policy Statement.
“With this policy, the PPA commits to satisfy the needs and expectations of the interested parties and to comply with international, national and local statutory and regulatory requirements,” the MCs add.
PPA first migrated to IMS in the PMOs of Zamboanga and Ozamiz in June last year, a step further toward its implementation of International Organization for Standardization-Quality Management System (ISO-QMS) for ports under its jurisdiction. Almost all PPA ports are already ISO-QMS certified, PPA assistant general manager for operations Hector Miole earlier told PortCalls.
The IMS is pursuant to Executive Order No. 605, entitled “Institutionalizing the Structure, Mechanisms and Standards to Implement the Government Quality Management Programs, Amending for the Purpose Administrative Order No. 161, s. 2006,” and to PPA’s commitment to the Governance Commission for Government Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs). PPA is a GOCC.
The MCs designate the Port Management Systems and Organizational Development Department manager and the Port Operations Services Department manager as PPA management representative and PPA deputy management representative. The responsibilities of the two officials are contained in the approved IMS Manuals.
PPA earlier said the 100% implementation of IMS in the country’s ports will benefit port workers, improve port services for the good of those doing business at the ports, and elevate the impact of safety and environmental measures implemented at the ports.
