PPA wants Iloilo port, four others privatized
MANILA – The Philippine Ports Authority has announced that it pushing ahead with its decision to privatize at least five state-controlled ports in the Visayas and Mindanao as part of the Aquino administration’s strategy to allow the private sector help the government in funding infrastructure projects.
Ports eyed for privatization include those of Davao, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, General Santos, and Ozamiz.
PPA general manager Juan Sta. Ana said the government is reducing its presence in these port facilities in line with the government’s private-public partnership.
“We are really reducing government intervention in running the ports,” he pointed out.
Sta. Ana added he expects all of the PPA’s more than 100 ports to be privatized before the end of the Aquino administration in 2016.
Three of the five ports already have private cargo-handling operators.
A subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) operates Davao port; Oro Port runs Cagayan De Oro port; and Asian Terminals, Inc. and ICTSI jointly operate General Santos.
These ports handle the bulk of local and international trade in Visayas and Mindanao.*PNA
