• The Philippine Ports Authority launched its Integrated Management System at the Port Management Offices NCR-North and NCR-South on February 24
• The initiative aims to enhance port operations, efficiency, and governance while ensuring compliance with ISO standards and Government Quality Management Systems Standards, including environmental sustainability
• PPA general manager Jay Santiago instructed all PMOs nationwide to integrate IMS protocols, particularly in vessel entrance and departure clearance and entry and withdrawal of cargo
• PPA aims for full IMS implementation across all PMOs and the PPA head office
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has launched the Integrated Management System (IMS) at the Port Management Offices (PMOs) National Capital Region-North and NCR- South on February 24.
The IMS aims to elevate port management and efficiency, strengthen corporate governance, and reduce the ecological footprint of port operations, the agency said in a statement. It includes:
• Providing port facilities and services at par with global best practices and a port regulatory environment conducive to national development.
• Engaging activities for the prevention of pollution and damage to the environment.
• Providing a safe, healthy, and work-conducive environment for our employees and client/stakeholders for the prevention of work-related injury and ill health, and elimination of hazards and reduction of OH&S (occupational health and safety) risks.
• Engaging consultation and participation of workers.
• Continuously improving the implementation and effectiveness of IMS to adapt to current developments while complying with legal and other statutory requirements.
The launch follows the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification of nine other PPA-PMOs, namely Batangas, Panay/Guimaras, Misamis Occidental/Ozamiz, Zamboanga, Socsargen, Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Palawan, and Bicol.
PPA targets full IMS integration across all PMOs and its head office by 2028.
The system “will not only transform Philippine ports as globally competitive trade hubs but it will also minimize the ecological footprint of port activities for more sustainable environment while supporting the country’s economic growth and by helping the logistics costs lower for each family’s lower costs of every day basic goods while ensuring high-quality port services,” the agency said.
IMS ensures compliance with ISO standards and the Government Quality Management Systems Standards. It aligns with Executive Order No. 605 (Institutionalizing the Structure, Mechanisms, and Standards to Implement the Government Quality Management Programs, Amending for the Purpose Administrative (AO) Order No. 161, s. 2006), which sets mechanisms and standards for the Government Quality Management Program, and fulfills PPA’s commitment to the Governance Commission for GOCCs for 2025, PPA said in a statement.
AO No. 161, or the “Institutionalizing Quality Management Systems in Government” was issued on October 5, 2006 as one of the National Competitiveness Summit Action Agenda to effect actual improvements in public governance in recognition of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 series which ensures consistency of products and services through quality processes.
“We are proud to announce that we are at par with the world’s best port practices and that the Philippine ports are globally ready and competitive. The launch of Integrated Management System is a testament to our commitment to operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and workplace safety. By implementing globally recognized standards, we are ensuring that our ports operate efficiently while upholding the highest levels of corporate governance and sustainability,” PPA general manager Jay Santiago said in a statement.
In line with this directive, Santiago instructed all PMOs nationwide to ensure the effective implementation of the IMS manual across their respective ports.
This includes a particular emphasis on key operational processes such as vessel entrance and departure clearance, as well as the entry and withdrawal of cargo.
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