The Philippine Ports Authority said over the weekend it reduced the processing fees on all permits to operate for transport service providers at all ports nationwide to ease their burden as the economy transitions to the “new normal”.
It said the reduced processing rates, embodied under Administrative Order No. 06-2021, are applicable in PPA-controlled ports nationwide. The PPA offers a discount of up to 66 percent for a one-year PTO application; 52-percent cut for a two-year PTO application; and a 33-percent reduction for a three-year PTO application.
The processing fee for the issuance of an accreditation certificate would remain at P3,000, the AO showed.
“This is our gesture of cooperation and assistance to the transport service providers at our ports during these trying times,” said PPA general-manager Jay Daniel Santiago.
“With this, we also expect to incentivize more transport service providers to comply with existing PPA rules and regulations in order to continue transacting with the ports to maximize the opportunity brought about by the run-up to Christmas,” Santiago said.
The PPA issued advisories to truckers in July that the PTO requirement would be strictly enforced and a “no permit, no service” policy would be implemented effective Oct. 15. The agency, however, extended the deadline to Oct. 31 to allow truckers to complete the requirements.
It said that as of end-October, 75 percent of truckers operating in the Port of Manila already complied with the CA and PTO requirements.
A PTO needs to be in valid and in order as it authorizes the service provider to perform or provide services inside PPA ports including harbors, fairways and extensions.
This is to ensure that port service providers in ports under PPA’s jurisdiction comply with the health, safety, environmental and operational requirements of the port or ports where the services will be rendered.
This also enables the PPA to monitor, supervise and direct the activities of the port service providers while inside the port as well as maintain a pool of qualified service providers to ensure continuous provision of adequate, safe and reliable port services to port users.