Declaring The Port Of Batangas And Subic Bay Freeport As Extensions Of The Port Of Manila (Mict/south Harbor) During Port Congestion And Other Emergency Cases

MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 172

DECLARING THE PORT OF BATANGAS AND SUBIC BAY FREEPORT AS EXTENSIONS OF THE PORT OF MANILA (MICT/SOUTH HARBOR) DURING PORT CONGESTION AND OTHER EMERGENCY CASES

WHEREAS, it is a declared objective of the State to ensure the smooth flow of waterborne commerce passing through the country’s ports, whether public or private, in the conduct of international and domestic trade;

WHEREAS, port congestion is one of the major factors hindering the free flow of goods and services passing through the ports, with its domino effects immediately cascading and impacting on the demand-supply chain and eventually to the country’s economic growth and performance;

WHEREAS, the Port of Manila is considered as the Philippines’ most important port not only in terms of revenues it generates but also because of its being the premier international gateway to the country;

WHEREAS, the past six (6) months have witnessed how port congestion at the Port of Manila, specifically, the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and the South...

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Summary of Executive Order No. 172

Declaring the Port of Batangas and Subic Bay Freeport as Extensions of the Port of Manila During Port Congestion and Other Emergency Cases

• Purpose: To ensure smooth flow of waterborne commerce and address port congestion at the Port of Manila (Section 1)
• Extension of Port of Manila:
- The Port of Batangas and Subic Bay Freeport shall be considered extensions of the Port of Manila whenever there is congestion or emergency situations affecting public interest (Section 1)
- Specific ports to be designated by Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for Port of Batangas and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for Subic Bay Freeport (Section 1)
• Declaration of Port Congestion or Emergency Cases:
- The Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) shall declare the existence of port congestion or emergency cases upon recommendation of the PPA Board of Directors (Section 2)
- Conditions for declaration shall be based on guidelines prescribed and approved by the PPA Board of Directors (Section 2)
• Effects of Declaration:
- Designated ports in Port of Batangas and Subic Bay Freeport shall be deemed extensions of Port of Manila (Section 3)
- Foreign vessels with Port of Manila as destination or origin may be directed to berth at Port of Batangas or Subic Bay Freeport, which shall be considered as berthing at Port of Manila (Section 3)
- Rules, regulations, berthing fees, and other port fees of Port of Batangas and Subic Bay Freeport shall apply to foreign vessels directed to berth there (Section 3)
• Validity of Declaration:
- The extension of Port of Manila shall exist for the duration of port congestion or emergency cases (Section 4)
- The extension shall be lifted once the situation in Port of Manila has normalized, as determined by the DOTC Secretary (Section 4)
• Separability Clause and Repealing Clause included (Sections 5 and 6)
• Effectivity: The Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation (Section 7)