Effective April 8, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) increased its ancillary services permit and regulatory fees, unchanged since almost two decades ago.
Under PPA Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 02-2015, the annual permit fee has been jacked up by 117% to P650 (plus value-added tax) from the 1997 rate of P300.
Regulatory fee, on the other hand, has been raised 116% to P3,240 (plus VAT) from P1,500.
PPA said the increase received no objection from majority of stakeholders consulted during public hearings.
Under Section 20 (a), Article VII of Presidential Decree 857 (Revised Charter of the PPA), as amended, PPA may impose, fix, prescribe, increase, or decrease such rates or fees for the use of port premises, works, appliances or equipment belonging to the port authority and port facilities provided, and for services rendered by PPA or any private organization within a port district.
Furthermore, under Section 20 (b), PPA shall regulate the rates of charges for port services or port-related services so that taking one year with another year, such as rates or charges furnish adequate working capital and produce adequate return on the assets for the port authority.
MC No. 02-2015 amends PPA MC No. 04-97 and Item 3.2 of PPA Administrative Order No. 07-2013 (simplification of procedures in the processing and issuance of permits to operate ancillary services in the ports). – Roumina Pablo
