All pending applications for accreditation, permits, authorizations and certifications with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and its port management offices (PMOs) are considered approved and valid until December 31, 2020.
All pending applications for accreditation and permit to operate (PTO) received by the PPA and PMOs prior to or after March 15, 2020 are deemed approved and valid anew until the end of the year.
Hold-over authorities (HOA) to operate cargo-handling services that have expired or are expiring during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), modified ECQ (MECQ), and general community quarantine (GCQ) periods are likewise extended.
Moreover, all other permits, certificates, and authorizations issued by PPA or its PMOs which have expired or are expiring during these quarantine periods are also deemed extended until December 31, according to PPA Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 37-2020, signed by PPA general manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago on September 29.
To avoid fines, charges, and penalties, holders of these documents must file an application for extension or renewal on or before December 31, according to MC 37-2020.
PPA said the validity of PPA approvals and permits was further extended in view of the continued strict implementation of a work-from-home scheme at its head office.
The extension of validity is also in consonance with Administrative Order (AO) No. 30. The AO, released by the Office of the President on April 21, directs all government agencies to formulate and issue guidelines on the interruption of the periods for filing of documents, payment of taxes, charges and other fees, and cancellation of proceedings at their offices.
Last April, PPA through MC 15-2020 extended the validity of all PPA permits that had expired before March 17, 2020 and during the effectivity of the ECQ period up to June 30, 2020. Last July, it issued MC 23-2020 which extended the validity of PPA approvals and permits until July 31. Another extension was made until August 30 under MC 30-2020, and for another month until September 30 under MC 33-2020.
All provisions of MC 15-2020 consistent with MC 37-2020 remain valid. – Roumina Pablo
