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The Philippine Port Authority is streamlining its tree-planting policy guidelines
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The agency has partnered with other agencies to harmonize implementation of the policy
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Aside from its tree-planting policy, PPA has adopted other programs to help preserve the environment, such as the use of solar energy to power its ports
The Philippine Ports Authority is harmonizing its tree-planting policy with that of other government agencies, PPA assistant general manager Elmer Cadano said.
During the Truckers Summit at the PPA office in Manila on January 16, Cadano said PPA is finalizing its tree-planting policy guidelines and coordinating with other agencies such as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
PPA has made mandatory tree and mangrove planting before any contract or permit is issued. Stakeholders have, however, complained of separate tree-planting requirements by several government agencies.
READ: Want a PPA certificate or contract? Plant a tree
PPA has partnered with DENR to finetune Administrative Order No. 14-2020, the implementing guidelines of Republic Act No. 9729 (The Climate Change Act of 2009), and with non-government organizations, the latter to help monitor port users’ compliance with the policy. DENR will lead the formulation of implementing rules.
Cadano said PPA has had two meetings with the DENR to finalize details of the AO and hopes to complete implementing rules before the rainy season sets in.
Once rules are final, PPA will draft a memorandum of agreement with environmental group Haribon Foundation to monitor compliance of the AO.
Aside from its tree-planting policy, PPA has adopted other programs to help preserve the environment, including the widespread use of solar lights in its terminals. There is also an ongoing study to power PPA ports with solar energy in the next year or two, beginning with the major ports.
Cadano said the agency is looking at installing solar panel roofs on port terminal buildings. “We have piers like Mindoro and CDO (Cagayan de Oro) with large office roofs, where we can install solar panels. We also have ports with warehouses.”
Along with turning ports green, PPA said it is aiming to make its facilities resilient, Cadano said. Along this line, the provision of gensets and procurement of fire fighting equipment will continue to be pursued.
Cadano said the agency began installation of gensets in ports four years ago, starting with the big terminals, and the goal is to install gensets in all PPA ports.
He pointed to the Port of Tagbilaran, Bohol as a model for resiliency, noting gensets provided by PPA proved useful when Typhoon Odette hit the region. Tagbilaran was the only port with communications and electricity following the typhoon.
