Declaration of Policies and Objectives.
Section 2
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies and Objectives. — It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to implement an integrated program of port development for the entire country in accordance with the following objectives: (a) to streamline and optimize the planning, development, construction; maintenance and operation of ports, port physical plants and facilities, (b) to ensure the smooth flow of waterborne commerce passing through the country's ports in the conduct of international and domestic trade, (c) to promote regional development through the dispersal of industries and commercial activity throughout the different regions, (d) to foster free enterprise and sustain the growth of export and other priority industries and, (e) to redirect port administration beyond its specific and traditional duties in harbor, cargo and revenue operations to the broader function of total port district development, including the full and fruitful utilization of the port's hinterland and tributary areas. In order to attain these objectives, the Government through the Philippine Port Authority hereinafter created shall: Draw up and implement an integrated Philippine Port Development Program which shall embody the following: the review and reorganization of the present set-up of port administration, operations, physical plants and facilities; the classification of the different ports in the country according to size, importance, potential for growth and the nature and structure of surrounding areas; determination of the type and pattern of the local Port Industrial Zone Authorities to be established in the different ports; and the definition of the broad operational guidelines to be followed by these individual Authorities; Encourage and stimulate the establishment of individual autonomous Port Industrial Zone Authorities in the different port districts through: (i) the provision and/ or assistance in the provision of financial support from public and private financing sources, (ii) technical assistance, (iii) the granting of incentives particularly during the early years of operation; and (iv) in general, the maintenance of close cooperation and a smooth working relationship with the individual Port/Industrial Zone Authorities; Provide for the effective supervision, regulation and control of the organizational management, ownership and structure of individual Port/Industrial Zone Authorities in the given port districts; and (d) Exercise broad supervisory and regulatory powers over the actual operations of individual Port/Industrial Zone Authorities in keeping with their autonomous character. A. THE PHILIPPINE PORT AUTHORITY