COTABATO CITY – The Philippine Ports Authority – Port Management Office (PPA PMO) in Cotabato City is now officially under the control of the Bangsamoro Ports Management Authority (BPMA) following a virtual turnover ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 10.
PPA PMO-Region XII Officer-in-Charge Virgilia Lastimosa, joined by PPA PMO-Cotabato City OIC Myra Ebita Deticio, transferred the pertinent documents to BPMA General Manager Garib Abas.
Also turned over were the PPA – PMO Cotabato City properties such as the office building, assets, and jurisdiction over the port.
BPMA is one of the sectors under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) which manages, administers, and operates all ports under the jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro region.
“The real essence is we will manage it according to what is agreed dun sa peace agreement, hindi lang po yung BPMA, marami pa pong mga sectors under our office (MOTC),” said Minister Dickson Hermoso.
“And this will be a challenge to us, na kapag naibigay sa atin ay kaya ba natin? Kaya natin!,” he added.
Hermoso said that the port will serve as one of the gateways in providing livelihood opportunities to the people.
“Kapag maganda po yung ating serbisyo lalo na sa mga puwerto o ports, or seaports and transport terminals at sasakyang panlupa, meron pong increase ng movement ng tao and ma-facilitate na maganda ang movement ng goods. Ibig sabihin, it will prime our economy at ang recipient nun is yung mamamayan ng Bangsamoro,” he further explained.
General Manager Abas, on the other hand, sees it as an opportunity to fully operationalize BPMA and begin the implementation of their priority projects not only in this city but also to Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi ports as well.
“Ito na yung mga malaking pagbabago sa Bangsamoro Ports Management Authority kasi ever since ang BPMA wala po kaming building,” said Abas.
“For the year 2022, meron kaming mga priority projects under infrastructure, tulad nung fencing sa Port of Maluso, terminal buildings sa Maluso, Siasi, Sitangkai, Mapun, Taganak, Bonggao, and Jolo.” he added. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
