Sunday, June 15, 2008 Give foreshore works to us upon end of lease
THE Cebu Port Authority (CPA) has proposed to Congress that it should take control of foreshore lease ownership and port development once their foreshore lease agreements (FLA) expired.
CPA General Manager Angelo Verdan said this is to delineate the areas that are owned and administered by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for purposes other than port development.
The property cited by CPA includes reclamation (for port purposes) of offshore and submerged lands within its territorial jurisdiction.
Under Republic Act 7621 (CPA Charter), the CPA has the power and authority over all ports, public or private, in the entire Cebu City and Province.
The proposal also said that if foreshore and submerged lands are suited to become ports, the CPA can enter into contracts with any public or private entity for a reclamation project in the area.
The CPA also seek amendment on the provisions on port security especially that it is aiming to raise the domestic ports to world standard, and improve the monitoring system against criminal elements.
CPA Deputy General Manager Dennis Villamor said that they want to achieve a high standard of security at the ports to protect the passengers, cargoes and stakeholders.
Villamor said that for several months already, the ports have zero crime rate.
The proposed amendments include giving CPA the police authority within the ports that it administers. This is necessary to carry out its powers and functions without encroaching on the functions of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other law enforcement agencies in the area.
This police authority will include providing security to cargoes, port equipment, structure, facilities, personnel, and documents. But in the ports of entry, physical security to import and export cargoes shall be exercised jointly with (BOC).
Another proposal on security is for CPA to regulate entries and exits in the port.
Verdan said that since the CPA strictly monitors the movement of persons and cargoes at the ports, persons who tried to bring firearms from Danao City to Mindanao and other parts of the Visayas have been arrested and charged.
He said vehicles and persons without valid and legal purpose are not allowed to enter the ports. (EOB)
