Manila wants control of ports

The city council of Manila has adopted a resolution asking Congress to pass a law that will give the city government a direct hand in operating the ports in the city and a share in their income.

Councilor Don Juan Bagatsing, who co- authored the resolution with Councilor Manuel Zarcal, said Congress should “repeal or amend” the laws that created and strengthened the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

“The city of Manila is a world-class port-city without any say, participation or voice in the affairs of all ports along its waterfront, as well as no stake nor share from the revenue of the productive enterprises perpetuated on its international harbors, unlike in other port ventures that dedicate proceeds to the host local government entities,” the resolution stated.

The two councilors said the PPA, the agency handling the administration and management of the country’s ports, was created in 1974 through Presidential Decree 505 and was amended in 1975 by PD 857.

Then President Ferdinand Marcos also issued Executive Order (EO) 513 in 1978 granting the PPA police powers, including exacting fines for violations of its rules and regulations.

In 1987, then President Corazon Aquino issued EO 159 placing the PPA under the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) with the function to undertake construction of ports and giving the agency fiscal autonomy.

Bagatsing and Zarcal claimed the loopholes in the laws allowed the PPA to behave “like an independent supreme kingdom” and be “disrespectful” to the city government.

They also said the city government continues to bear the brunt of port-related activities, which cause traffic gridlocks; air, noise and environmental pollution; road damage and vehicular collisions, which should be corrected and for which Manila should be “somehow compensated.”

Mayor Joseph Estrada imposed a truck ban last month to ease traffic in Manila. He said the city government does not gain anything financially from the PPA’s operations in the city.