ARMM holds ports management authority summit

TO INCREASE the efficiency and the capacity of port terminals in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Regional Ports Management Authority (RPMA) conducted a ports management summit in Zamboanga City last week.

With the theme ‘Collaboration and Information Sharing as Key Factors to Promote Development Initiatives in ARMM Ports,’ this year’s summit is a maiden flagship initiative of the RPMA-ARMM.

Ersan Imban Warad, general manager of RPMAARMM, said the conduct of the summit was aimed at soliciting diverse regional platforms from various investors, port operators, stakeholders and port users to explore potential business opportunities, discuss management strategies and development initiatives in the ports sector.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the years before were challenging times for the ports authority as it only earned P9.4 million in 2013. “But in the years that followed, our good governance agenda paved the way for reforms. We sought out the problems and we worked hard to find solutions,” Gov. Hataman said.

The authority was restructured and made sure that its roadmap is aligned with the region’s reform agenda.

Arthur Nogas, harbor master of the Philippine Ports Authority-zamboanga City and one of the presenters during the summit, discussed the best practices on ports management and operation that may be applied in the region.

Engr. Jun Macalawan, supervising investment specialist of the Regional Board of Investments-armm, meanwhile, tackled the investment opportunities in the region. As of August this year, the authority generated P5.7 million income from its seaport operations.

“As we move forward, we will continue our efforts on information sharing and collaboration with our clients. The reforms we implement in our ports are only as good as their continued engagement,” Gov. Hataman added.

During the summit, the authority distributed equipment for the various base and sub-ports in Jolo and Siasi in Sulu; Bongao, Mapun, Sitangkai and Sibutu in Tawi-tawi; and Lamitan City and Maluso in Basilan.

The participants confirmed their solid commitment in achieving the vision of the regional government based on safe, reliable ports facilities and secure sea transportation, protection of the maritime environments and the promotion of the rules of national and international maritime law.

“We are continuously working to develop safe, integrated and sustained seaports network in the ARMM,” Warad said.