The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has launched its electronic-payment portal (EPP) to reduce face-to-face transactions and comply with the “new normal” scheme amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a statement on Monday, the PPA said the e-payment portal will host all payment systems of ports under the control of the PPA and seamlessly connect it through a number of government and commercial banks joining the program.
According to the PPA, it has inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Land Bank of the Philippines to host the interconnection of the different banks for the e-payment portal.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said that all port users can access the portal using their access credentials as required by the agency.
“We are really keen on automating our collection of port charges to reduce face-to-face transactions, thus, boosting the integrity of our process,” Santiago said.
“This scheme now allows payment of transactions anytime and anywhere electronically,” he added.
The PPA said that the portal is also linked to the Cargo Handling Operators’ online system depending on which port the client will transact. The portal can be accessed at http://epaymentportal.ppa.com.ph.
The agency said that aside from the e-payment portal for port fees and other related charges, it is also in the process of completing its automated passenger ticketing system.
“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 added.