The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has created a port services unit to take over operation and cargo handling at the Port of Surigao after the contract of the port’s private cargo handling operator has ended.
PPA general manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago signed PPA Memorandum Order (PMO) No. 21-2017 dated October 4 creating Surigao Port Services (SPS) “to ensure the peaceful and continuous operations of the cargo handling services at the Port of Surigao in Surigao City.”
The eight-year contract of cargo handling service provider Prudential Customs Brokerage Inc. (PCBI) ended on October 6, which also ended the strike staged by the local port union.
The labor union went on a 43-day strike after accusing PCBI of refusing to increase union members’ salaries and benefits under their collective bargaining agreement, the mass action affecting port operations and stakeholders.
In creating the SPS, the PMO said PPA was exercising its inherent function to directly handle port operations and provide cargo-handling and other related services pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 857, or the revised charter of PPA.
Under PMO 21-2017, SPS “shall henceforth provide and operate the cargo handling services at the Port of Surigao with powers, functions and duties as are or may be necessary to enable it to carry out its purposes.”
SPS shall ensure the continuous and uninterrupted delivery of vital cargo handling and other related services “in a more efficient manner,” the memo further declares.
It may also employ the existing labor force in cargo handling operations, subject to individual screening of the workers, pursuant to the provisions of PPA Administrative Order No. 01-2006, as amended, in accordance with PPA Operations Memorandum Circular No. 02-2005 and Civil Service Commission/Commission on Audit/Department of Budget and Management Joint Circular No. 1-2017.
SPS’s other functions include to collect existing rates and amounts and other charges for actual services rendered; disburse funds to finance operational expenses according to the systems prescribed by PPA; inventory cargoes received and still in the custody of the operator as of takeover date; inventory cargo handling equipment, gear, tools, and other properties of the operator; inventory cargo records and claims; inventory unused forms and supplies which can be used for the takeover; and inventory office and field personnel.
SPS shall be managed, supervised, and controlled by the port manager of PPA Port Management Office-Surigao, to be complemented by PPA officials and employees as may be designated by the general manager.
The order, dated October 4, took effect immediately and will remain in force until revoked or shortened as warranted. However, when there is no more need for such special takeover unit, the cargo handling services shall be turned over to the winner of the public bidding to be conducted for cargo handling services at the port. – Roumina Pablo
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