PPA modernizes billing procedures at Manila ports
THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has issued a revised policy to modernize billing and collection procedures for Manila South Harbor (MSH) and Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago signed Memorandum Circular Number 03-2024, titled “Revised policy on the systems and procedures in the billing and collection of charges against cargoes at South Harbor and MICT,” to streamline operations and enhance efficiency in the billing and collection of wharfage charges.
The policy outlines comprehensive guidelines for port managers, terminal operators, importers, consignees, brokers and forwarders to improve billing and collection processes for all stakeholders.
The circular aims to update government systems and procedures in line with legal mandates, including Presidential Decree 857 and Section 5 of Republic Act (RA) 11032 or the “Ease of Doing Business Act of 2018.” It aligns with Executive Order 170, which advocates for digital payments, and Commission on Audit Circular 014-2021, which provides guidelines on electronic collections and payments.
PPA aims to “update systems and procedures in the billing and collection of wharfage charges at MSH and MICT.” The objectives include updating systems, defining processing responsibilities, ensuring fast, accurate, and transparent document processing, digitizing receipt issuance, reducing face-to-face interactions, and complying with RA 11032- requirements (Section 5-Reengineering of Systems and Procedures).
The circular prescribes revised procedures for billing and collection of cargo charges at South Harbor and MICT, requiring cargo owners/ brokers to gather necessary documents before accessing the terminal operator’s online portal.
It emphasized transparency and accountability in the billing and collection process, mandating terminal operators to remit wharfage collections daily to the PPA-authorized government depository bank, with penalties for late remittances and reconciliation mechanisms.
Any discrepancies between the wharfage collection and remittance to PPA will be reconciled on the following business day.