• The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is tightening border control measures at all its ports nationwide to reduce the further spread of COVID-19
• PPA directed port authorities to strictly enforce regulations on the filing of Notice of Arrival and Application for Berth/Anchorage
• Ports should coordinate with the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), and Philippine Coast Guard on matters affecting border control protocols
• Crew change/disembarkation will continue to be done only at PPA ports identified as crew change hubs
• No boarding of pilots will be done until a “free pratique” and clearance from the BOQ has been issued
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is tightening border control measures at all its ports nationwide to reduce the further spread of COVID-19.
In a memo dated July 30, 2021, PPA directed all its ports to strictly enforce regulations on the filing of Notice of Arrival (NOA) and Application for Berth/Anchorage (ABA).
The directive is in compliance with Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Resolution No. 130-A, which orders strict enforcement of border control protocols at all ports of entry, whether air or sea ports, and including ports for cargo vessels.
IATF Resolution 130-A, issued on July 29, provides new quarantine classifications in the country for August amid local transmission of the highly infectious Delta variant of COVID-19.
The National Capital Region has been placed under the strictest form of quarantine, enhanced community quarantine, beginning August 6 until 20.
Under the PPA memo, ports should coordinate with the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), and Philippine Coast Guard on matters affecting border control protocols.
Crew change/disembarkation will continue to be done only at PPA ports identified as crew change hubs and no boarding of pilots will be done until a “free pratique,” or the license given to a ship to enter a port on the assurance that she is free of contagious diseases, and clearance from the BOQ has been issued.
PPA ports with crew change facilities include Manila South Harbor, Port Capinpin in Orion, Bataan, Port of Sasa in Davao and Port of Batangas.
PPA in a separate statement said that based on its rules, the NOA should be submitted to the PPA port management office (PMO) or terminal management office (TMO) concerned at least 48 hours prior to vessel arrival or before any delivery of cargo inside the port for loading.
The NOA may also require a separate crew list providing detailed information about the crew of the vessel.
Berthing/anchorage application should be submitted to the concerned PMO or TMO at least 24 hours for vessels with scheduled runs and 36 hours for tramping vessels.
