Republic of the Philippines

Province of Masbate
CITY OF MASBATE

OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD

JOINT – COMMITTEE REPORT

Re: Motion of Hon. Bala and Hon. Tuason with regards to the
Privilege Speech rendered by the Hon. Diez during the 6 th
Regular Session of the 7th City Council dated August 6, 2019, re:
Montenegro Shipping Lines and Philippine Ports Authority
(PPA) issues pertaining to the alleged irregularities on the
issuance of tickets to passengers and other related concerns.

A Joint-Committee hearing was conducted on August 6 and 29, 2019 consecutively

@9:00 a.m. at Session Hall, Legislative Building, City of Masbate to study and evaluate the
aforesaid matter.

In attendance were Hon. Jarvey Jasper D. Bala, Chairperson of the Committee on

Economic Development, Cooperative, Trade and Commerce; Hon. Meden G. Diez, Vice-
Chairperson; Hon. Alberto R. Abayon, Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation
and Public Utilities; Hon. Rodolfo C. Abella, Hon. Alex D. San Pablo, Hon. Ramil O. Yaneza,
and Hon. Allan T. Lim, Members; Engr. Sherwin C. Medina, Acting City Economic
Enterprise Manager; Engr. Romulo D. Villamor, Jr., CEEO; Mr. Marcos L. Amador, CEEO;
Mr. Rodelio Tovera and Mr. Dionilo A. Donggon, Montenegro Shipping Lines
Representatives; Mr. Rene L. Agao, II, Mr. Reuel L. Gayanes, Mr. Antonio G. Baroga, Sr.,
Representatives from PPA-PMO Masbate, representatives from other transport system
and the Secretariat.

FINDINGS/ COMMENTS:

Pursuant to the proceedings of the 6 th Regular Session of the 7 th City Council dated
August 6, 2019, the above-mentioned measure is hereby referred to the herein
Committees for appropriate action. Hereunder are the findings of this Joint
Committee:

1. Hon. Diez presented the issues to the Committee, to wit:

a. How to resolve the issue on the fast craft’s ticketing system and when is really
the exact time in issuing tickets prior to any scheduled trip;
b. Allowing porters to purchase tickets and selling it at a higher price;
c. Time of departure of fast craft and RoRo vessels;
d. Alleged accommodation of walk-in or chance passengers when boarding the
vessel; and if there is any coordination among PCG-Masbate and PCG-Pilar about
their policy; and
e. Php70.00 Vehicle Pass Ticket at the City Port collected by the Philippine Ports
Authority (PPA) guards.

2. The committee requested TO FURNISH THEM a copy of policy of each bus liners
and shipping lines company for review, in aid of legislation;

3. Also, the committee called the attention of the Montenegro Lines to make a
representation to their company as to correcting the malpractice occurring in Pilar Port;

4. Mr. Tuvera, Manager of Montenegro Shipping Lines enlightened the committee

that after the session last August 6; he already relayed all the issues to the Operations
Manager of Pilar and advised him to work out on the said issues;

5. The committee suggested to have an online booking system to all public

transport including bus liners and shipping lines; and recommended considering
advance booking favourable to the riding public which were conformed by all
representatives from the different companies;

JOINT COMMITTEE REPORT re : PPA fee and Montenegro fares (Economic Development, Trade & Commerce) (Transportation & Public Utilities)
 6. Mr. Agao, representative of PPA, explained that the issuance of the Car Gate Pass
is covered by PPA Administrative Order No. 04-2009, Revised General Pass Control and
Access Regulations under Section 4 of General Guidelines No. 3 which states that “as, a
matter of policy, no vehicle and/or person shall be allowed to enter the port premises of the PPA unless on
legitimate business or purpose related to port operations and with previous permit/pass issued by the
Authority,” and No. 4 which states that “any access pass issued in accordance of with the Guidelines shall
be construed as a mere privilege and not a matter of right and bearers of such access pass, therefore, may still
be prohibited to enter any port premises, access pass, particularly in areas designated as restricted areas, for
security purposes and especially during the operation of the port at Security Levels 2 and 4 of the PFSP”;

7. The Hon. Diez argued that a public hearing/consultation shall be first conducted
before any ordinance/law imposing fees and charges is enacted or imposed;

8. PPA representatives emphasized that the fees being collected by the PPA were
implemented previously to prevent vehicles from entering the port premises due to
port traffic. Moreover, they explained that no public consultation was made in the City
but the Guidelines were duly approved by the PPA and the same complied with the
publication requirement;

9. On the other hand, the Chair of the Committee on Economic Development raised
another concern with regards to the implementation of the City Ordinance No. 167-14
specifically Article VI, Section 37 & 38; to which Mr. Amador said that particular section
has not yet been fully implemented due to the congestion of the local buses and PUVs
coming from the different municipalities within the City Central Terminal. Hence, they
cannot impose the said fees because the City Central Terminal cannot accommodate
them due to the increase of numbers of buses; and requested the Office of the City
Economic Enterprises to furnish the committee a copy of their report as to scope of
authority implementing City Ordinance No. 167-14;

RECOMMENDATION:
After thorough deliberation, the Committee hereby recommends that all suggestions
made be considered by the representatives of the different bus liners and shipping lines
companies together with the Office of the City Economic Enterprises and the PPA-PMO
Masbate shall furnish the Office of the SP Secretary the copy of the Minutes of Public
Hearing/Consultation regarding the P70.00 Vehicle Pass Ticket at the City Port collected
by the PPA for every private vehicle entering the port premises and again invite Ms.
Carolina S. Mendizabal, Acting Manager, PPA-PMO Masbate to another committee
hearing to further enlighten the herein committee regarding the said matter.

Further, the Joint Committee hereby recommends for the adoption of this committee
report.

Committee on Economic Development, Cooperative, Trade & Commerce

and Committee on Transportation & Public Utilities

HON. JASPER D. BALA HON. ALBERTO R. ABAYON

Chairperson Chairperson

HON. MEDEN G. DIEZ HON. SOCRATES M. TUASON

Vice Chairperson Vice-Chairperson

Members

HON. ALEX D. SAN PABLO HON. RODOLFO C. ABELLA

HON. ROSEMARIE V. SALVACION HON. ALLAN T. LIM

HON. RAMIL O. YANEZA HON. RAMIL O. YANEZA

JOINT COMMITTEE REPORT re : PPA fee and Montenegro fares (Economic Development, Trade & Commerce) (Transportation & Public Utilities)