PPA port collection scheme goes digital
THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has digitalized its port collection system through its newly launched electronic-payment portal (EPP), as it moves to reduce human interaction amid the new normal demanded by the pandemic.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said the e-payment portal will house and host all payment systems of ports under the control of the agency and connect it through a number of government and commercial banks joining the program. Non-bank institutions, payment providers, and payment centers are included in the said program.
“We are really keen on automating our collection of port charges to reduce face-to-face transaction, thus, boosting the integrity of our process. This scheme now allows payment of transactions anytime and anywhere electronically,” Santiago said.
Land Bank of the Philippines is hosting the interconnection of the epayment portal. Participating banks include the following: Robinson’s Bank, Unionbank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Asia United Bank, BPI Direct Banko, CTBC Bank, Citystate
Savings Bank, Development Bank of the Philippines, Enterprise Bank, Entrepreneur Bank, Equicom Savings Bank, Luzon Development Bank, MASS SPECC, Malayan Bank, Overseas Filipino Bank, PBCOM, Philippine Business Bank, Philippine Veterans Bank, Philtrust Bank, Sterling Bank of Asia, Sun Savings Bank, and Wealth Bank.
The new payments scheme is also integrated into its other online systems such as the Electronic Accreditation System, Electronic Permit Management System and Internet-based Port Operations and Receipting for Terminals System.
It is also linked to the cargo handling operators’ online systems.
The payment option will initially be available for Manila and Batangas. It will be rolled out in other ports nationwide soon.
Santiago said his group is now developing an “automated passenger ticketing system,” which will centralize the booking and payment of passenger tickets, thus, preventing overbooking and overloading resulting in safer sea travel.
“Digital technology is the future and the PPA is making sure that we are at par with our foreign counterparts and trading partners.”