Rep. Ma. Theresa Bonoan (4th District, Manila) has filed a measure creating an administrative body that would help decongest Manila’s harbors and develop it into a world-class port.

Bonoan, a member of the National Unity Party (NUP), said her proposed Manila Ports and Special Economic Region Administration (MP-SERA) offers a permanent solution to Manila port’s  congestion woes. 

Under her proposal—House Bill 4312—Bonoan said the  Port of Manila will still be exclusively managed and operated by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in accordance with existing laws.

“The MP-SERA will be headed and managed by the General Manager of the PPA and a board of directors.

The port stakeholders will have a voice in recommending solutions to problems besetting Manila’s port,” Bonoan said. 



As stated in HB 4312, the members of the MP-SERA board will come from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Mayor and the Vice Mayor of Manila, the Philippine Coast Guard, three (3) representatives from the port operators, customs brokers, truckers, workers and other established organizations in the port.



Bonoan has urged President Benigno Aquino III to certify as urgent HB 4312.

She said the President can allocate an initial P7 billion to bankroll infrastructure projects to decongest the Port of Manila and relocate informal settlers.

The lawmaker said P3 billion may be used to finance the construction of bridges linking the North and South Harbors and  a flyover from the port areas to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

“There are reports that Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Chairman Manny Pangilinan will make the port link to North Luzon Expressway (NLEX),” she noted.

Another P4 billion may be allotted for the relocation and housing projects of informal settlers who will be affected by the road projects.



On top of her proposed P7 billion allocation for MP-SERA’s projects, Bonoan has also proposed  an initial P10 billion capital extension for the administrative body,  which will be sourced from the retained earnings of the PPA, she said.

Bonoan said the P10 billion capital will be used to build transportation facilities necessary to help decongest traffic in Metro Manila,  construct multi-story residential condominiums outside PPA as  relocation sites for the residents of the barangays within the Manila Port Area, and generate funds to dredge and deepen the waters of Manila de Bay, and  bring back its balanced ecology.


"The implementation of the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy will rehabilitate restore and conserve the Manila Bay the soonest possible time," Bonoan said.