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 for the planning, development, financing, and operation of Ports or Port Districts for the entire country in accordance with the following objectives: To coordinate, streamline, improve, and optimize the planning, development, financing, construction, maintenance and operation of Ports, port facilities, port physical plants, and all equipments used in connection with the operation of a Port. To ensure the smooth flow of waterborne commerce passing through the country's Ports whether public or private, in the conduct of international domestic trade. To promote regional development through the dispersal of industries and commercial activities throughout the different regions. To foster inter-island seaborne commerce and foreign trade. To redirect and reorganize port administration beyond its specific and traditional functions of harbor development and cargo handling operations to the broader function of total port district development, including encouraging the full and efficient utilization of the Port's hinterland and tributary areas. To ensure that all income and revenues accruing out of dues, rates, and charges for the use of facilities and services provided by the Authority are properly collected and accounted for by the Authority, that all such income and revenues will be adequate to defray the cost of providing the facilities and services (inclusive of operating and maintenance cost, administration and overhead) of the Port Districts, and to ensure that a reasonable return on the assets employed shall be realized.