Atty. Jay Daniel R. Santiago has been appointed general manager of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). The former general counsel of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) reported for work on July 4.
In a press statement, PPA said Santiago has ordered a review of the permits process with the view toward reducing red tape. He is also asking private sector service providers in different PPA ports to “fix all defective facilities” to cut “unnecessary expense” that results in “higher ticket prices and logistics cost.”
He said, “We are trying to rationalize everything that will translate to the convenience of passengers, cargo owners, logistics service providers and all PPA personnel.”
He added PPA should “remain very transparent and accessible to the public in accordance with the new work culture being installed by the President Rodrigo Duterte administration.”
Santiago also ordered all officials of the state-owned agency to refrain from holding meetings during office hours, or from 8am to 5pm, so as not to disrupt delivery of public service.
Prior to his appointment as head of the ports authority, Santiago was the senior and managing partner of a law firm specializing in corporate law, handling special projects for the firm. As former Pagcor general counsel, he has extensive knowledge in gaming laws and regulations as well as government biddings and procurement.
Santiago was also a partner at the law firm Feria Tantoco Robeniol Santiago, specializing in corporate and commercial law, particularly in the areas of banking and finance, securities regulation, telecommunications and new technologies, tax, immigration, and general business advisory.
He graduated from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Humanities and obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the same university.
