DAVAO CITY - The management of the Philippine Ports Authority-Port Management Office (PPA PMO) in Cotabato City was officially turned over to the Bangsamoro Government through the the Bangsamoro Ports Management Authority (BPMA).

BPMA is under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) which manages, administers, and operates all ports under the jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro region.
In a statement on Thursday, Nov. 11, the Bangsamoro Government said PPA PMO-Region XII Officer-in-Charge Virgilia Lastimosa, joined by PPA PMO-Cotabato City OIC Myra Ebita Deticio, formally turned over the office's properties such as the office building, assets, and jurisdiction over the port to BPMA General Manager Garib Abas during the virtual turnover ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 10.
Abas said the turnover of the PPA-PMO is an opportunity to fully operationalize BPMA and begin the implementation of priority projects in the Bangsamoro region.
“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 (For the year 2022, we have priority projects under infrastructure including the fencing of the Port of Maluso, terminal buildings in Malusu, Siasi, Sitangkai, Mapun, Taganak, Bonggao, and Jolo),” he said.
Minister for Transportation and Communications Dickson Hermoso added that the port will serve as "one of the gateways in providing livelihood opportunities" to the Bangsamoro.
“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 (not just the BPMA, there are other sectors) under our office (MOTC),” said Hermoso.