48 hours waiting time? Senators seek better port access for PH Navy ships

Sen. Robinhood Padilla (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Making the Philippine Navy vessels wait up to 48 hours before allowing access to the country’s seaports is “unacceptable” and “alarming” for some senators.

According to Senator Robin Padilla, naval vessels need to wait four to 48 hours before being given access to ports.

It also is up to the private sector, he said, to determine how long they can stay.

“Ang resulta po nito: mga delays sa kanilang mga misyon dahil sa tagal na hinihintay bago makapag-refuel, gayundin ang mas mabilis na wear-and-tear ng mga sasakyang pandagat dahil sa nahuhuling inspeksyon at maintenance procedures,” Padilla said in a privilege speech on Tuesday.

(This results in delays in their missions due to prolonged waiting times before refueling, as well as faster wear and tear of naval vessels due to delayed inspections and maintenance procedures.)

Padilla lamented that while there is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Navy and the Philippine Ports Authority, priority remains with the private sector.

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He found this situation “unacceptable,” especially in the face of escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea.

“Hindi naman po lingid sa ating kaalaman ang tumitinding sitwasyon sa Timog Dagat Tsina, sa West Philippine Sea, bunsod ng mga agresibong aksyon ng kabilang panig. Nararapat lamang na magkaroon tayo ng mga hakbangin sa paghahanda sa anumang senaryo na maaaring maganap sa ating bayan,” the senator said.

(We are well aware of the escalating situation in the South China Sea, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, due to aggressive actions by the other party. It is only fitting that we take steps to prepare for any scenario that may occur in our country.)

Padilla then urged the private sector to be more accommodating to the Navy vessels.

“Simple lamang po ang ating panawagan – ang mabigyan naman po ng access ang Philippine Navy vessels sa ating mga ports sa ilalim ng Philippine Ports Authority,” he added.

(My request is simple — to give Navy vessels access to our ports under the Philippine Ports Authority)

Meanwhile, “alarming” was Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel’s immediate comment on Padilla’s disclosure.

“Nakakabahala. That’s all I can say as of the moment. This is alarming,” Pimentel stressed.

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Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, meanwhile, vowed to include this issue in next week’s hearing in the Senate on the state of airports in the country.

“Dapat priority number one talaga sa ating mga ports ang ating Navy and Coast Guard vessels at pati PNP (Philippine National Police) maritime services. Dapat sila ay priority number one, ‘yan ang dapat unahin sa lahat,” Zubiri said.

(Priority number one at our ports should really be given to our Navy and Coast Guard vessels, as well as PNP maritime services. They should be the top priority, that’s what should be prioritized above all.)

NOTE: The English translations in the article were AI-generated.