PURSUANT to Republic Act No. 11469 known as the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,” the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) contributed P500 million to the national treasury to help fund government responses against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), said CPA General Manager Leonilo E. Miole.
“While CPA is in charge of making sure that cargo and supply chain remain unhampered amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to seek all possible means to support the national effort. We hope that the amount we shared would be a significant contribution, ” added Miole.
According to Miole, the contributions of the CPA together with other government-owned and controlled corporation would support the implementation of the emergency measures undertaken to contain the spread of the Covid-19 and shall also facilitate the provision of necessary assistance to cushion the impact of the adverse economic disruptions.
The P500 million budget was allotted from the CPA full remittance of dividend for CY 2019 and some additional contribution taken from the CPA 2020 allotment.
“Our full remittance of dividend for CY 2019 amounted to P419,221,179.34 and with the added contribution of P80,778,820,66, we were able to come up with the P500 million Covid-19 help fund,” shared GM Miole.
Also, CPA informed that no passenger trips inbound and outbound Cebu have been allowed to date due to the enhanced community quarantine and travel restrictions implemented by Cebu Province and other respective provinces.
However, movement and delivery of cargoes and supplies continues in all CPA ports and terminals in the province.
With 24/7 operation, the CPA is not unmindful of the need for stringent security and health protocols measures consistent with the protocols set by the Department of Health.
Aside from that, CPA also facilitated the procurement of personal protective equipment for all port frontliners such as surgical masks, non-contact thermometers, reusable protective glasses and polypropylene coveralls. Procurement and installation of lavatories in strategic areas in ports is also ongoing to ensure that all persons entering the port facilities are free from any contaminants or disease. (PR)