The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has updated the roster of harbor pilots serving more than 20 ports in the country to 113 as of December 2018 from 122 in June 2018.
The list was revised per PPA Operations Memorandum Circular (OMC) No. 01-2019 dated January 31, 2019 and signed by PPA assistant general manager Hector Miole.
The harbor pilots are assigned at the ports of Aparri, Batangas, Bicol, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Manila, Masinloc-Sta. Cruz, Nasipit, North Panay, Puerto Princesa, Pulupandan, San Fernando, Siain-Hondagua-Casiguran, Surigao-Maasin-Bislig, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, and Zamboanga.
Currently, foreign and domestic ships are mandated to seek the services of harbor pilots when docking and undocking at Philippine ports.
OMC 01-2019 states that PPA’s Port Management Offices shall monitor the performance of harbor pilots and their compliance with documentary and other requirements, as well as their compliance with required reports as provided under PPA Administrative Order (AO) 93-85. The AO sets forth the rules and regulations governing pilotage services, the conduct of pilots, and the pilotage fees at Philippine ports.
PPA’s sister agency Maritime Industry Authority conducts the harbor pilot examination and issuance of license, while the port authority approves the number of harbor pilots per pilot district depending on the need for the service.
