The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) started implementing the “No Permit, No Service” Policy on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021 for all truckers in ports nationwide and warned against colorum operators.
The “No Permit, No Service” Policy, under PPA Memorandum Circular (MC) 19-2021, states that truckers need to obtain a Certificate of Accreditation (CA) and Permit to Operate (PTO). Otherwise, they caanot be allowed to transact at port terminals.
Some truckers still refused to secure the CA and PTO.
However, getting operating permits is not a new requirement and truckers were long advised of the policy, according to the PPA.
The agency imposed the first deadline to secure CAs and PTOs on October 15, 2021, and it was extended on October 31, 2021, only requiring the truckers to file an accomplished application form and submit all pertinent documents by December 31, 2021.
A trucker applying for a three-year PTO will be given a 50 percent discount on the permit fees.
Nonetheless, several truckers still refused to comply for unknown reasons.
On the October 31 deadline, 75% of truckers operating in the Port of Manila have already complied with the CA and PTO requirements.
The PPA likewise warned that colorum truckers who do not follow the schedules and rules at the terminals will be slapped with hefty fines and appropriate sanctions.
“We are warning colorum truck operators to comply with the need to have the PPA CA and PTO," PPA General Manager Jay Santiago reiterated.
"Apart from being barred to transact at the port terminals, they will be meted with an appropriate sanction,” he confirmed.
Meanwhile, leading port operators Asian Terminals Incorporated (ATI) and International Container Terminals Services, Inc. (ICTSI) have started implementing the policy yesterday.
ATI cited the PPA MC in its own Marketing Circular No. 1021-038 dated October 28, 2021, reminding service providers in ports under PPA jurisdiction are “required to secure a Permit to Operate (PTO) before they are allowed to render any service.”
Effective November 1, 2021, all trucking and hauling service providers need to present their PTOs before entry at ATI South Harbor, the circular stated.
The policy takes effect immediately at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) according to ICTSI. Truckers “arriving at the terminal without a PPA CA or PTO (issued or filed) will no longer be allowed to proceed with its transaction”, ICTSI confirmed.
“All truck company and driver registrations that are unsupported by a PTO after Oct. 15, 2021 will no longer be accepted, the ICTSI advisory added.