NEW ports in Manila will not be allowed in a bid to decongest the country’s capital, according to Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Alfonso Cusi.
The statement is in response to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s directive to stop any further expansion or new ports development at the Port of Manila. Mrs. Arroyo’s directive also covers development or applications for construction of commercial private ports.
Cusi’s statement now puts in question the Harbor Center Port Terminal, Inc.’s (HCPTI) request to be granted a commercial permit allowing it to cater to both domestic and international cargoes.
In reviewing the HCPTI contract, Cusi said the PPA board of directors must take into consideration Mrs. Arroyo’s directive plus the fact that Asian Terminals, Inc. and International Container Terminal Services, Inc. have exclusive rights to engage in cargo handling and terminal opeartions at the Port of Manila.
PPA disclosed there is a possibility that a moratorium will be called on additional port development within the area. No target date for the issuance was, however, given.
Still, port development outside Manila will continue. Among the port agency’s priority projects is the development of ports and terminals in the outports, especially in far-flung areas covered by the Road Roll-on/Roll-off Terminal System.Recently, it announced the inclusion of the development and expansion of the ports of Masao and Zamboanga into its priority projects. It also disclosed plans to build bigger terminals in Cagayan de Oro and General Santos City.
The nearing completion of the Batangas Port Phase II Development project is likewise anticipated as a large chunk of cargoes is expected to be diverted to the southern port, helping decongest Manila.
The port of Manila (North and South Harbors) currently handles 31.57 million metric tons of cargoes. Volume is expected to grow at double-digit rates in the coming years.
