PPA extends validity of all permits amid lockdown extension

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The validity of all Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) permits that have expired before March 17, 2020 and will expire during the effectivity of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is extended to June 30, 2020 or until the lifting of the ECQ, whichever comes later.

For Certificates of Registration (COR)/Permits to Operate (PTO) that have expired or are expiring during the ECQ, validity is also extended to June 30, 2020, or until the lifting of the ECQ, whichever comes later.

All hold-over authorities (HOA) to operate cargo-handling services that have expired or are expiring during the ECQ period are also deemed extended up to June 30, 2020, unless further extended by PPA, according to PPA Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 15-2020.

MC 15-2020 signed on April 7 provides the guidelines on the processing of PPA permits during the ECQ. It applies to private port applications, short-term lease contracts, accreditation certificates, HOA, and other permits issued by port management offices (PMO).

The new circular aims to ensure that all operators and service providers in the port are authorized to provide or perform port services. It also aims to minimize disruption to port operations, expedite port business processes, and ensure the unhampered flow of essential goods.

Upon expiration of the extended permits, applications for renewal will be given a grace period of 30 days from the effective date of lifting of the ECQ or from the effective date of expiry granted by PPA, with no surcharge, interest and penalty charges imposed. Thereafter, surcharge, interest and penalty charges will accrue.

PPA reserves the right to cancel, suspend, and revoke any extended permit or authority provided under MC 15-2020 when circumstances so warrant.

MC 15-2020 states that it does not prevent an applicant from submitting an application for PTO, accreditation, COR/PTO, and similar permits for PPA processing and approval using the standard, normal processes prescribed in existing regulations. All applications, including submission of digital copies of supporting documents, will be accepted and considered compliant, subject to post-audit and/or verification process.

Applications for accreditation that have been filed online may be considered for the issuance of PPA PMO permits and security passes, and permittees will be allowed to provide port services for a period of 90 days or until the lifting of the ECQ, whichever comes first.

All inquiries, follow-ups, and updates on the status of accreditation permits will be lodged at PMOs, where online applicants may be directed to the status trail provided in the system.

Only short-term leases will be processed during the ECQ period.

The Permit to Occupy (PTOc) that is subject to fourth renewal will be processed at the concerned PMO. However, at the end of the ECQ period, all requests for fourth renewal of PTOc will be filed at the concerned PMO and approved by the PPA head office.

Approvals will be issued via email subject to modification, suspension, or cancellation when circumstances so warrant.

PPA encourages payment of fees through electronic means and online systems of participating banks. Manual payments are still acceptable subject to ECQ measures, “which may result in transaction delays,” MC 15-2020 notes. – Roumina Pablo