The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) port management office in Batangas City recently hosted an “Ulat sa Bayan” press conference at the new administration office with Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) Undersecretary Guiling Mamonding as guest speaker in coordination with the Regional Management Council (RMC, Region IVA and IVB).

Ports Management Office (PMO) Batangas manager Alex Cruz was designated RMC Region IVA vice chairman, and acted as presiding officer of the press conference, while Land Transportation Office (LTO) Director Ricardo Ochia who is RMC chairman is on-leave.

The RMC (Region IVA and IVB) is composed of Philippine Ports Authority, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

Each agency presented a briefing on their accomplishment between 2001-2009, from which, the press inquired. Among the remarkable questions asked by the media are: 1) Implementation of RFID (for LTO and LTFRB); 2) Construction of Calatagan Port (for PPA); 3) MV Baleno 9 tragedy (for PCG and MARINA); 4) “How’s my Driving” Project of LTFRB; and 5) TIN requirement in applying for Driver’s License.

For the implementation of RFID, LTO Acting Regional Director Felix Lopez said that they are yet to implement it until final order by the court. He said that RFID registration fee amounts to P350.00 only.

Regarding the construction of the Port of Calatagan, PMOB PM Alex Cruz said that part of PPA’s project is development of viable ports, in support of PGMA’s infrastructure projects. Among the ports include Calatagan and San Juan Ports, respectively, under the jurisdiction of PMO Batangas.