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The Anti-Red Tape Authority and other government agencies signed a joint memorandum circular aimed at addressing perennial congestion in and around the vicinity of Matnog port in Sorsogon
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The JMC seeks to reduce congestion, particularly in the queuing, marshalling, loading, and embarkation of passengers and rolling cargoes at Matnog port
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It also aims to ensure the efficient delivery of government services and address rampant fixing activities in the immediate vicinity of the port
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The JMC’s salient features include a one-stop-shop and a single window system, online portal for booking and payment of tickets, and adoption of digital technologies to further streamline and automate services
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and other government agencies have signed a joint memorandum circular (JMC) that seeks to address perennial congestion in and around the vicinity of Matnog port in Sorsogon.
Formally signed on November 29 during ARTA’s Logistics Forum, the JMC aims to reduce congestion, particularly in the queuing, marshalling, loading, and embarkation of passengers and rolling cargoes at Matnog port. At the same time, it seeks to ensure the efficient delivery of government services and address rampant fixing activities in the immediate vicinity of the port.
Parties to the JMC include ARTA, Department of Transportation, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine National Police, Land Transportation Office, Office of Civil Defense, provincial government of Sorsogon, and municipal government of Matnog. Private partners include the University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation, Inc. Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development, World Bank, Climate and Sustainability Risk Advisory Association of RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) Operators, and FastCat.
Under the JMC, agencies and local government units (LGU) are directed to set up procedures that will further improve ease of doing business and efficient delivery of government services at Matnog port, pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.
The JMC’s salient features include streamlining and automation through a one-stop-shop (OSS) for truckers, rolling cargoes, vehicles, passengers, and other stakeholders using Matnog port.
In collaboration with concerned agencies, PPA should develop an online portal for the stakeholders to enable advance reservation and payment for a ticket prior to their arrival at the port.
Only those with confirmed online bookings and fully paid fees will be allowed entry to the port.
Stakeholders should only be required to make a single payment through an online portal. No separate payments are allowed as the price of the ticket should include all relevant fees such as the Ro-Ro terminal fee, passenger terminal building, LGU fee, and other related processes.
Digital technologies, information and communications technology tools, and other solutions that can further streamline and automate services in Matnog port must be adopted by concerned government agencies.
PPA, in collaboration with the provincial and municipal LGU and other relevant agencies should also implement a single window in relation to the queuing and marshaling procedures and other related verification and confirmatory processes. This is to eliminate the need for separate scattered windows or queues for transactions.
ARTA said streamlining the process will facilitate easier movement and ease port entry restrictions, benefiting both stakeholders and concerned government authorities.
Matnog port, a jump-off port from Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao and which handles RoRo vessels and services passengers, suffers from perennial congestion and truck queuing especially during the holidays. There are also allegations of extortion activities at the gateway, including fixers soliciting money from passengers and truckers in exchange for priority boarding on vessels.
PPA earlier said complaints about the long queue outside the port have significantly dropped since the installation of an OSS. PPA said the OSS makes it easier to arrange booking and payment of fees, resulting in faster vessel turnaround time. The agency said it is also collaborating with LGUs to improve port users’ experience at Matnog port.
ARTA early this year said it has launched an on-site quick assistance post at Matnog port where the public can relay their concerns on fixing and other forms of red tape at the Sorsogon gateway. – Roumina Pablo
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