The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) con-tinues to contribute

to community growth nation-wide through its development initiatives bannered by at least five of its listed port projects undertaken since the start of President Aquino’s adminis-tration up to 2012.

According to PPA General Man-ager Juan C. Sta. Ana, these five proj-ects gave the biggest positive impact to shippers, shipping lines as well as other stakeholders in the entire Philippines.

Sta. Ana added that Department of Transportation and Communica-tions (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya also issued a marching order to guarantee that all positive effects of the different port projects nationwide trickle down to the communities.

The port projects, meanwhile, were carried out in Pio Duran and Tabaco in Albay; Matnog in Sorsogon; Tagbilaran in Bohol; and Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

“These PPA projects have created positive impacts on shippers, shipping lines, consignees, workers of allied port service providers as well as trav-elers,” Sta. Ana said.

The Pio Duran port project, which includes the construction of a Ro-Ro ramp, has opened up shipping route

PPA projects spur nationwide community growth...

The Philippine Ports Authority remitted to the Na-tional Government a total of P1.009 billion as divi-dend payment for 2012, in compliance with Republic

Act No. 7656 requiring Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) to remit at least 50% of their annu-al net earnings as cash, stock or property dividends to the national government.

The amount is also higher by 24% compared to the P817 million total

...as it posts 24% hike in dividend remitted to Nat’l Gov’t in 2012

President Benigno S. Aquino receives from Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Juan Sta. Ana and PPA Assistant General Manager for Finance Atty. David Simon the dividend check amounting to P1.009 billion.

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...as it posts 24%... From page 1

dividend it submitted a year earlier.The higher figure also propelled PPA, a GOCC, to sev-

enth spot in the list of Top 10 biggest contributors for 2012 out of the 38 GOCCs that submitted their respective divi-dends.

The Top 10 includes Philippine Amusement and Gam-ing Corp., Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, Bases Conversion Development Author-ity, Power Sector Assets & Liabilities Management Corp.,

Manila International Airport Authority, Philippine Ports Au-thority, Philippine Reclamation Authority, Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp., and the Philippine National Oil Company, respectively.

According to PPA General Manager Juan C. Sta. Ana, the PPA is one of the earning government corporations that have substantially shared its net earnings to the national government since the law was enacted in 1998.

Sta. Ana added that the port agency will always be a strong partner of the government in moving the country forward specifically in the area of providing support to the national government’s fiscal consolidation efforts. n

The event was highlighted by the unveiling of the marker inside the PTB witnessed by the President’s party com-posed of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Senator Franklin Drilon, Congressman Mel Senen Sarm-iento, Transportation and Communica-tions Undersecretary Julianito Bucayan, Jr., Port District Manager Fernando B. Claveria, PMO Tacloban Port Manager Dominador D. Licayan, other officials and town’s folk.

P-Noy inaugurates Manguino-o port

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the inauguration of the Port Extension and Pas-senger Terminal Building (PTB) at the Port of Manguino-o, Calbayog City, Samar on April 26, 2013.

In 2006, the Manguino-o Port was identified by the Department of Trans-portation and Communications as an alternate to the Port of Calbayog. The port serves as an entry point for pas-sengers and cargo to and from Cal-bayog City and neighboring municipal-ities of Samar and Northern Samar. It likewise serves the Manguino-o-Cebu route.

Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Inc. op-erates the Cebu to Manguino-o route

three times a week.The P38.59 million port extension

and construction of passenger termi-nal building was completed in Febru-ary 2013. The 87-meter berthing ex-tension complements the 3,000-sq.m. open storage and the 14.40 sq.m. port operations building. The 406 sq.m. PTB, on the other hand, can accom-modate 150 passengers at any given time.

The port is designed to handle 62,000 passengers annually; 1,500 TEUs of cargo; 500 ship calls per year; and vessels with a maximum size of 1,400 Gross Registered Tons.

The Philippine Ports Authority, is working to further improve the port through a P47-million construction of an additional 1,564 sq.m. back-up area, which is programmed for imple-mentation from August to December 2015 and a P10 million construction of perimeter fence and installation of port lighting and water supply system, which is programmed for implementa-tion from August to December 2013. (by Jennelyn S. Siosana) n

President Aquino leads the unveiling of the marker of the new Passenger Terminal Building at the Manguino-o port, Calbayog City witnessed by Sen. Franklin Drilon, Interior and Local Govern-ment Sec. Mar Roxas, 1st district of Samar Cong. Mel Senen Sarmiento, DOTC Usec. Julianito Bucayan, PPA PDM Fernando Claveria, PPA Tacloban PM Dominador Licayan and PPA Division Manager Cesar Gabutin.

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APFC launches high-speed

Ro-Ro vesselArchipelago Philippine Ferry Corp. (APFC), a new player in the shipping industry, re-cently launched a high-speed Ro-Ro vessel to service the Batangas-Calapan route. The newly-built vessel, which was introduced at the Port of Calapan on April 29, 2013, is a catamaran-type vessel named ‘Fast Cat 1’. Calapan port manager Victor Arellano handed a certificate of appreciation to the APFC management, PPA’s traditional token whenever a maiden call of vessel arrives in any port. n

Speaking before different stakeholders during the 50th anniversary of the Association of International Shipping Lines (AISL), PPA General Manager Juan C. Sta. Ana said the port agency will channel its resources more effectively to ensure that ports will have adequate capacity before the next ship arrives.

“I am aware that shipping lines encounter enormous challenges, some of which may even be more formidable than ever before,” Sta. Ana explained.

“Your collective experience in doing business in the ports has never been simple and easy. Part of the problem lies in the fact that perhaps many of us, port managers, do not have a good perspective of the shipping business and its important role in an archipelagic country like the Philip-pines,” Sta. Ana said.

Among the issues PPA intends to address include inefficient cargo handling services, exorbitant pilotage fees, cash-payment system, and the voluminous shipping documents.

On cargo handling, PPA stands firm on its policy requiring higher standards of productivity and efficiency of operations

PPA rationalizes investments to improve competitiveness

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has committed to rationalize port investments to increase the competitiveness of the port and shipping sector that has been below par the past couple of years.

from cargo handling operators by introducing more-than-ade-quate modern cargo-handling equipment and facilities.

The PPA, AISL and the United Harbor Pilots, on the other hand, have made substantial progress in dealing with the long-standing disagreement between shipping lines and harbor pilots through several meetings.

PPA is also set to consult with the AISL and the freight for-warders on the best practice on online payment system. n

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The Port Management Office-Cagayan De Oro retained its ISO 9001:2008 certification for its Quality Management System on the Facili-

tation of Vessel Entrance and Clearance Process at the Port of Cagayan de Oro. TUV Rheinland lead audi-tor Marc Anthony Lugay made that finding during the conduct of the surveillance audit held 15-16 April 2013.

CDO port retains ISO certification

The QMS VEC took effect on 16 June 2011 and was eventually certified on 24 April 2012. The certification is good for three years but it has to be reaffirmed every year. Since its certification, PMO-CDO has consistently provided and continually improved the quality of its port operations and services through the effective implementation of the system. Such was affirmed by TUV Rheinland in its audit findings, which cited zero non-conformity.

The company also cited five recommendations and oppor-tunities for improvement, which are intended to contribute to the continuous improvement of the management system elimi-nating any weakness still existing in the organization; ensuring management system effectiveness; and preventing non-confor-mities.

In his closing statement during the Post-Audit Conference, Port Manager Necitas G. Layola, Jr. expressed his gratitude to the PPA Head Office management for their unyielding support to the PMO and to the employees who put in their talents and skills together with unrelenting enthusiasm, dedication and hard work, which brought about the success of this project. (by Edsel A. Calo) n

Port Manager Necitas G. Layola, Jr. explains to TUV Rheinland Auditor Mark Lugay PMO-CDO’s QMS-VEC Best Practices while POSD representatives Agapito Arrieta and Karlo Madrilejo listen attentively during the Recertification Audit conducted 15-16 April 2013

Min ports staff review Biz Com writing

“Write to express not to im-press,” said resource person Faith Ramos Castro-Brazil

to the 32 delegates of the Writing Business Communication Semi-nar/Workshop-Batch 4.

The workshop, which was held on April 23-25, 2013 at the Philippine Ports Author-ity Port District Office-Southern Mindanao (PDO-SoMin) Training Center, dwelt in detail on English Grammar Review, Power Writing, and Mechanics/Current Trends in Writing Vari-ous Types of Business Communication such as letters, memoranda, indorsements, notices, minutes of meeting and technical reports.

The workshop was attended by person-nel from PDO-Northern Mindanao and PDO-SoMin, and the Port Management Offices in Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Nasipit, Ozamiz, Surigao and Zamboanga.

One of the objectives of the course is to help PPA employees simplify the approach in writing technical communication, which covers the following types of reports such as annual, analytical, feasibility, progress or periodic; proposals, position papers, specifi-cations and service, and inspection that are used mostly in the corporate setup.

“This is a very rare opportunity for us to reacquaint with writing techniques and en-hance practical skills in the workplace while meeting new friends from other offices,” PDO-SoMin Senior Corporate Accounts Analyst/Acting Sr. Supply Officer Anna Lee Monica G. Alingalan conveyed.

“We need to revisit our official writing style in order to be attuned to current international practices that are more personalized, direct and conversational,” PDO-SoMin Senior Cor-porate Budget Analyst Pia Donna A. Martin ex-pressed during the post-training evaluation. n

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The Port of Puerto Princesa successfully hosted the maiden call of “MS Legend of the Seas” of the Royal Caribbean International on March 19, 2013. Puerto Princesa is the vessel’s first stopover in its seven-night Borneo Explorer Cruise, which started in Singapore and

includes stops at Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia and Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei.

“Legend of the Seas” docks at Puerto Princesa Port

The “MS Legend of the Seas” is the biggest vessel, so far, to be accommodated and the third cruise ship that vis-ited the Port of Puerto Princesa in 2013 following the suc-cessful calls of “MS Columbus 2” of Hapag Lloyd Cruises on March 1 and “MS Amsterdam” of Holland America Lines

on March 7.The maiden call of the “MS Legend of the Seas” was

marked by the traditional exchange of plaque and key to the city ceremonies onboard the vessel between Capt. Kjell Nordmo and City Mayor Edward Hagedorn, Region IV Tourism Director Louella Jurilla and Port Manager Luis A. Cuison.

Cuison spearheaded the collaborative efforts among other stakeholders as well as through the strong support provided by Philippine Ports Authority top management in terms of infrastructure develop-ments and the result of a year-long coordination be-tween the Port Management Office of Puerto Princesa and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL), through its local shipping agent Wallem Shipping Philippines, which facilitated the port visit of Capt. Nikolaos Antalis, RCCL Port Captain in May 2012 and Mr. James Ngui, Port Operations and Product Manager for Royal Carib-bean Cruises Asia, who visited the port on January 30, 2013 in preparation for this call. n

As PMO Puerto Princesa celebrates its 36th anniversary recently, Port Manager Luis A. Cuison cited that the source of the inspiration springs from the series of cruise ships’ arrivals in recent months.

YOUNG RESCUERSThe PPA Training Center, hand-in-hand with the Philippine National Red Cross, had its second Learn-to-Swim for Kids Program at the PPA-GAD Center swimming pool from 8:00AM-10:00AM and 3:00PM-5:00PM last May 7-9, 2013. The project aims to strengthen the children’s individual capabilities to become future rescuers. The project also teaches confidence in the water, thus, reducing the risk of drowning among children ages 6-12 years old. (by Jennifer L. Lopez)

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guarding the lives of its personnel as well as in ensuring the safety of the workplace and property in consonance with the PSHEMS Emergency Response Program.

The seminar covered emergency preparedness in case of bomb threat/explosion, earthquake, fire, flood and tsunami.

The PMO’s PSHEMS program focuses on continually improving the containerized cargo handling activities in the port to prevent accidents and pollution, protect the well-being of its employees and stakeholders, reduce the environmen-tal impact from port activities, conserve natural resources and comply with all the applicable international and national statutory and regulatory requirements. (by Ruth E. Fernandez) n

PMO-CDO hosts emergency preparedness drill and seminar

PMO-Cagayan de Oro recently conducted its first Emergency Preparedness Seminar and Evacuation Drill in compliance with the Port Safety, Health and Environmental Manage-ment System (PSHEMS).

The drill, which was held on May 8-10, 2013, was at-tended by all employees in two separate batches or a total of 63 regular employees, 16 outsourced personnel and 4 security guards.

PMO-CDO is one of two pioneering ports for the PSH-EMS program being implemented by PPA under the super-vision of Roberto C. Aquino of the Port Operations Services Department (POSD). The program is supported by the Ger-man International Cooperation and the Partnerships in En-vironmental Management for the Seas of East Asia.

According to Port Manager Necitas G. Layola, Jr., the Seminar and Evacuation Drill is PPA’s commitment in safe-

City Council representative Ramon Tabor and ESD Manager Claro Samuel Fontanilla (center) unveil the PSHEMS Marker during its launching wit-nessed by (L-R) POSD representatives Ruby Follosco and Nelia Cable; Melissa Cruz and Franca Sprong of GIZ; Lolita B. Cabanlet of PDO-NoMin (partly hidden); Renato Cardinal of PEMSEA; Francisco Descallar of Phil. Liner Shipping Association; and Michael Siao of Oroport Cargohandling Services, Inc.

SPMS OrientationThe Philippine Ports Authority recently held an orientation on the establishment and implementation of Agency Strategic Performance Management System on June 26-27, 2013 at the PPA Head Office Building. The two-day seminar is attended by about 100 Manila-based senior and junior officials of the state-owned corpora-tion. Photo shows AGM for Finance, Legal and Administration Atty. David Simon giv-ing his opening remarks while participants are all ears. n

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to and from the area quickly benefiting the transport and trucking industries in terms of time and cost savings by about 30 kilometers or 1.5 hours compared to using the old route traversing the Masbate-Pilar-Manila rim.

This project likewise made available a much safer shipping route as it allowed shipping operators to avoid the difficult and risky San Bernardino Strait, which faces the Pacific Ocean aside from generating bigger shipping-related businesses and enhancing local businesses, eco-tourism and livelihood opportunities in the area.

The construction of a Passenger Terminal Building and the upgrading of back-up area at the Port of Tabaco in Al-bay, underscores the contribution of the terminal to the region’s cement industry

PPA projects... From page 1 diture projects. The streamlined support system, which encourages the small indi-vidual transport operators and vendors to organize themselves into cooperatives as compared before where each of them had to individually file the required permit to op-erate and pay fees, translated to significant savings as the fees are now equally divided among the many cooperative members.

The Puerto Princesa project, on the other hand, drastically improves the car-go volume in the region by about 63%. The eco-tourism port development proj-ect includes the expansion of the con-tainer yard from only 612 square meters to about 5,600 square meters.

“In particular, these projects brought huge impacts to the marginalized and depressed segment of the port commu-nities where these projects are located,” Sta. Ana said. n

The 2012 Edition by the Philippine Ports Authority Port District Office (PPA PDO) – SoMin is also rendered in an online version.

“The PPA places a very high premium on making infor-mation accessible and affordable for clients in this digital age,” PDO–SoMin Port District Manager Atty. Christian V. Santillan revealed.

Presentation of the book is divided into the five Port Man-agement Offices (PMOs) in SoMin—Davao, General Santos, Zamboanga, Dapitan and Cotabato. It is further sectioned into the baseport and terminals directly under the PPA, mu-nicipal or other government ports and the private ports.

Said profile is primarily designed to provide up-to-date information related to shipping and trade for the business sectors and other interested parties in the ports of the southern regions of the country.

Vital data on government ports in the 176–page book-bound material include latest photos, port layout plan and tech-nical description such as geographical location, navigational approach, entrance channel, facilities and features, port ser-vices and service providers, top cargoes and contact details.

PPA issues revised SoMin Ports Profile e-copy

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) recently came up with an updated version of the Southern Mindanao (SoMin) Ports Profile featuring an additional 84 active ports under the port district.

The latest version also offers data on the new addi-tion to the SoMin jurisdiction—the Port Management Office (PMO)–Dapitan, which includes the baseport in Dapitan City, two terminal ports Liloy and Sindangan and four mu-nicipal ports Galas, Nabilid, Taguilon and Siocon.

An e-copy of the profile and other related information materials on SoMin ports are also downloadable from the PDO website, www.ppasomin.com.ph. n

being the main port catering to the entry of raw materials and exit of final products aside from creating bigger employment opportunities from cargo-handling and other allied businesses.

In Matnog, the port expansion proj-ect has spawned employment opportu-nities for workers of cargo-handling, bus and shipping companies and generated livelihood opportunities for the poor town folks who are now able to derive their liv-ing selling foodstuff to port travelers and passengers as well as enhanced busi-ness and tourism as the port is situated in a melting pot for traders, business-men, farmers and fishermen, accelerat-ing the category of the area to a 3rd Class municipality instead of 5th Class.

The Tagbilaran project, meanwhile, in-volves both the simplification of processes and the implementation of capital expen-

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Chairperson Juan C. Sta. AnaMembers Raul T. Santos Tomas B. Carlos David R. Simon

Editor-in-Chief Amelia M. Aquino Managing Editor Asuncion B. Flores Associate Editor Eddie R. CordovaWriter Christopher C. ParingitEditorial Assistant Jennifer L. Lopez Photographer Larry O. Guevarra The PPA PortNews is published quarterly by the Corporate Communications Staff, Office of the General Manager, Philippine Ports Authority, Head Office Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, PhilippinesTel. No. (0632) 527-4753For article contributions, e-mail to:ppaccs@yahoo.com or ccs.ppa@gmail.comFor more information, visit the PPA website: www.ppa.com.ph

Editorial Board and Staff

GAD Corner...

The Philippines overall score is higher than those of its neighbors in Southeast Asia--Singapore, 67.5 points; Vietnam, 64.4; Thailand, 61.3; Indonesia, 56.5; and Malay-sia, 54.3. Other scores were Tai-wan, 64.7; Hong Kong, 63.3; China, 61.5; Korea, 49.7; Japan, 48.1; and India, 38.

The annual index compares the socioeconomic level of women to men in education, employment, and leadership. A perfect score of 100 in-dicates gender equality between men and women, less than 100 is in favor of men, and over 100 is in favor of women. Access to education is the area where the Philippines had the highest score: 107.5 for secondary education and 128.4 in tertiary educa-tion. Education remains the leading indicator for gender equality, indicating that opportunity and achievement are equal or may even be better for Fili-pino women.

The Philippines also scored high in women’s workforce participation (63) and regular employment (93.4). Filipino women get better employ-ment opportunities, higher educa-tion, and equal representation in business and government than most in Asia-Pacific. The country ranked fourth in terms of overall employ-

Ph tops in women’s advancement

The Philippines ranks third in women’s socioeconomic standing, next to New Zealand and Australia, in the Worldwide Index of Women’s Advancement released by global finan-cial firm MasterCard on March 7, 2013. The index measures the women’s socioeconomic

standing in 14 Asia-Pacific countries. The Philippines has an overall gender parity score of 70.5 points, meaning, there are 70.5 females for every 100 males in both government and private sec-tors. New Zealand has 77.8 points and Australia, 76 points.

ment with 76.7 score, behind New Zealand, Australia and Taiwan. The index showed there are still fewer women leaders in business and gov-ernment. Except for New Zealand, the rest had fewer than 50 women leaders for every 100 male leaders. Only Australia (49.7) and the Philip-pines (45.6) came close to gender parity.

The Philippine Commission on Women, headed by Chairperson Remedios I. Rikken and Executive Director Emmeline L. Verzosa, en-sures Filipino women’s full integra-tion in socioeconomic and cultural

development in the Republic of the Philippines in their programs and policies. n

PPA-MAF OFFICERS

Ms. Asuncion B. Flores - President/Trustee (OGM) Mr. Julio M. de Castro - Vice President/Trustee (OAGM-O) Ms. Virginia D. Garcia - Secretary/Trustee (OAGM-FLA) Ms. Fatima D. Reaso - Treasurer/Trustee (PDO SoLuz) Engr. Carlito M. Castillo - Trustee (OAGM-E) Mr. Nestor M. Tayamen - Trustee (PDO Manila/NoLuz) Ms. Lolita B. Cabanlet - Trustee (PDO NoMin) Atty. Sarah R. Mijares - Trustee (PDO Visayas) Ms. Evangeline J. Cristobal - Trustee (PDO SoMin) Mr. Eddie R. Cordova - FMC Chairperson (CCS, OGM) Ms. Marilou Fetalvero - Accountant (PDO Soluz) Ms. Jennifer L. Lopez - Administrative Officer (CCS, OGM)