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The Cebu Port Authority issued accreditation guidelines for companies providing electronic payment systems for port charges
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Under CPA Administrative Order No. 01 series of 2021, the accredited service providers will implement the CPA e-System for online application and processing of charges for domestic and foreign cargoes
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They will develop the online facility at no cost to CPA
The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) has issued accreditation guidelines for companies that can provide electronic payment systems for port charges.
CPA Administrative Order No. 01 series of 2021 (AO 01-2021) sets down rules for the accreditation and operation of information and communications technology service providers for online application and processing of computation and assessment of port charges.
The accredited ICT service providers (ASP) will implement the CPA e-System, the collective name of electronic systems for online application and processing of computation, assessment, and payment of port charges for domestic and foreign cargoes.
AO 01-2021 said the “COVID-19 pandemic has compelled the need for digital transformation and reduced face-to-face interaction in the port user community on the documentation, processing, payment of port charges, and release of domestic and import/export cargoes.” The project is also part of CPA’s policy on ease of doing business.
CPA general manager Leonilo Miole, in a text message to PortCalls, said any service provider that can meet the requirements may be accredited as an ASP.
“We hope to pilot test the system in 2 months’ time from today (September 10),” he added.
Under AO 01-2021, an ICT service provider may seek accreditation for either or both of these processes: payment of port charges for domestic cargoes, and payment of port charges for import/export cargoes and processing of foreign cargo withdrawal permit (FCWP) and cargo entry permit (CEP).
The ASP should develop, operate and manage an electronic facility for online processes at no cost to CPA, the order said.
The minimum required system components consist of the following modules based on CPA’s functional and operational requirements:
- Online submission of pre-computation of port charges for cargoes that will eliminate face-to-face interaction with CPA assessors and cashiers by shippers, importers, customs brokers, and exporters.
- Electronic processing and online approval by CPA of the final assessment of port charges for cargoes.
- Date connectivity interface with the Land Bank of the Philippines’ Link.BizPortal electronic payment facility being used by CPA.
- Recording, reporting, and reconciliation of all payments collected.
- Online generation of FCWP and CEP for import/export cargoes.
Accreditation is valid for three years and renewable yearly subject to compliance with qualification requirements under AO 01-2021.
The ASP is authorized to collect a transaction processing fee of P50 from system users. CPA will have a 30% share of the revenue collected from the CPA e-System users.
AO 01-2021 took effect immediately after its publications in newspapers of general circulation on September 3 and 6 and copies were sent to the University of the Philippines Law Center. – Roumina Pablo
