CPA renews contracts with 4 cargo-handling services

CEBU CITY-- The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) has renewed the contracts of four cargo-handling service providers (CHSPs) for the management and operations of arrastre and stevedoring and related cargo handling services at the Domestic zone, Baseport of Cebu.

CPA general manager Leonilo Miole inked the contracts with the United South Dockhandlers Inc. (USDI), Cebu Arrastre and Stevedoring Services Corporation (CASSCOR), Puerto Servicio De Cebu Inc. and Metro Cebu Arrastre and Stevedoring Services, Inc. (MCASSI).

Miole said that as stipulated in the signed contract, all four CHSP were subjected to performance review pursuant to CPA Administrative Order 01-2000 or the CPA General Port Rules and Regulations and CPA Administrative Order No. 03-98 or the Policy Guidelines and General Conditions for the Management and Operation of Cargo Handling Services. 

“They had been found to be satisfactory and did not have any outstanding obligation to the Authority, to labor, or to port users,” Miole added.

Miole revealed that a 15-year contract was granted to USDI and 10-year contracts each for CASSCOR, Puerto Servicio De Cebu Inc. and MCASSI subject to compliance with certain conditions.

These conditions include that cargo-handling operators must comply with the arrastre, stevedoring and other related charges to be collected as prescribed by the CPA under existing policies, rules and regulations.

They shall provide and maintain the required minimum cargo handling and related equipment / gear, all in serviceable and ready line conditions; shall provide and maintain adequate safety equipment and gears and shall strictly comply with the manual on “Dockworkers Safety and Health Standards”.

They must also submit a list of all its employees, workers or laborers and quarterly submission of the proof of payment of SSS, Pag-ibig Premiums and Value Added Tax, among others.

According Miole that additional guidelines under the renewed contracts mandates the CHSPs to undertake the digitalization of its transactions with its clients and port users to provide online means of assessment, collection and remittance of payments and secure ISO Accreditation under Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

 "As cargo handling service in the Port of Cebu is directly under the regulation and authority of the CPA, we want to ensure that we provide excellent services to our port stakeholders,” Miole said. 

Under their contracts, all our CHSP partners are required to adopt and implement no contract transactions for safety, easier and faster processing of port services and acquire ISO accreditation, he added. (Photos: CPA)