The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) launched Monday its e-Payment system for the collection of port charges in Manila and Batangas.
The new electronic payment portal will be initially available to Manila and Batangas-based transactions and eventually rolled out to the different ports across the country.
The PPA said the new payment system is part of its bid to digitize the collection of all port charges to reduce face-to-face transactions and comply with the ‘new normal’ scheme due to the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The e-payment portal connects PPA ports to government and commercial banks jas well as non-bank institutions for a variety of online payment modes such as payment centers, credit cards, and debit cards.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago said the e-payment portal has been in the pipeline and is continuously being improved but its completion and implementation fast-tracked due to the spread of the Coronavirus Disease pandemic as it limits person-to-person transaction to stop the spread of the disease.
“We are really keen on automating our collection of port charges to reduce face-to-face transaction, thus, boosting the integrity of our process,” Santiago said.
“This scheme now allows payment of transactions anytime and anywhere electronically,” Santiago stressed.
“All port users can access these facility using their access credentials as required by the agency,” Santiago added.
Under this scheme, the EPP will be the central portal for doing electronic exchanges specifically for payment of port transactions. The EPP is integrated with PPA’s legacy application as well as its online systems such as the Electronic Accreditation System (eAS), Electronic Permit Management System (ePMS) and Internet-based Port Operations and Receipting for Terminals System (iPORTS).
It is also linked to the Cargo Handling Operators’ online systems depending on which port the client will transact. The portal can be accessed at this link.
Aside from the e-payment portal for port fees and other related charges, the PPA is also in the process of completing its automated passenger ticketing system. When implemented, it will centralize the booking and payment of passenger tickets, thus, preventing overbooking and overloading resulting in safer sea travel.
“This is your PPA working for the benefit of the sea-traveling public, cargo owners, and other stakeholders. Digital technology is the future and the PPA is making sure that we are at par with our foreign counterparts and trading partners,” Santiago said.
The Manila Port Area’s Eva Macapagal Super Terminal has been turned into a comfortable quarantine facility for seafarers and OFW repatriates coming home to the Philippines.
At the close of 2019, the Cavite-Manila and Pasig River ferries began operations to provide faster travel to commuters.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Manila and Batangas port users as they avail of the new e-Payment facility in Philippine ports.
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