Philippine Ports Authority Port Management Office (PPA PMO) – Davao marked its coral anniversary on April 1, 2012, celebrating more than three decades of sustained public service.
“We are very blessed to have reached this far in terms of years of experience in our role as port administrator, regulator and an enabler of maritime businesses related to trade, transport and tourism,” PPA PMO-Davao and Concurrent Port Manager Atty. Christian V. Santillan expressed.
Series of activities kicked off in a bloodletting ceremony which was facilitated by the Philippine National Red Cross (PRC) – Davao City Chapter on March 31, three days before the actual date. Such was participated in by employees, dock workers and other willing donors.
PMO-Davao has been an active supporter of the PNRC as part of its corporate social responsibility projects and advocacies for maintaining healthy lifestyle in the port communities for three decades now.
March 31 likewise coincided with the berthing of MV Danae, a luxury cruise liner which sailed from Marseille, France for a four-month tour around the world.
Said cruise ship brought 371 passengers (both crew and visitors) which all hailed from countries in the European Union. About 90 percent of the guests on board have been accompanied by local tourism operators aboard buses and coaches for sightseeing and shopping around Davao City.
PPA PMO-Davao selected officers and staff took the limited window to go onboard and greet the foreign visitors and explore the vessel’s seven-story deck features. The visit is the first of its kind in Davao City.
Since April 1 fell on a Sunday, official celebration was moved to the day after, April 2 (Monday), giving way for employees and guests to join in various sports events and programs prepared for by the office and enjoy the day-long observance on a semi-holiday mode.
On April 2, events slated in the morning were Flag Raising and Pinoy Games played between teams divided by color followed by the Awarding of Winners and a simple Lunch Treat for the employees and invited guest-judges.
To cap the milestone year, a 70s retro-inspired party was held on the evening of April 2 which featured the following: Rigodon de Honor (dancing in pairs), Citations for Top 10 Performers, Loyalty and Special Awards for PMO-Davao Pioneers and Retirees, the Retro Look Award which was won by Administrative Services Chief Ms. Natividad P. Amorillo who came in a psychedelic muumuu paired with trademark gypsy headband and the Ceremonial Toast by the youngest employee, Michael A. Esquivel.
The program committee also prepared and played a special Music Television (MTV) presentation of the song “Salamat”, an Original Pilipino Music (OPM) by The Dawn Band laden with wacky video footages with banners/greetings for the 35th anniversary of the PMO workers as well as that of the Terminal Management Office – Mati staff.
This year’s anniversary theme, “Maunlad na Pantalan, Maunlad na Bayan, Noon, Ngayon, Magpakailanman Tungo sa Ikabubuti ng Sambayanan” (Progressive Ports, Progressive Community, Then, Now and Beyond Towards the Betterment of the Country) is aptly mounted as PPA shifted its corporate vision which was earlier pegged on the year 2010 and bent on meeting international standards in port facilities and services.
PPA’s new vision now reads, “By 2030, customers doing business in our ports shall experience full and sustained productivity, efficiency, comfort, connectivity, safety and security.”
In his closing speech, Santillan conveyed grateful recognition to the God Almighty along with the PPA pioneers who are also his contemporaries when PPA started in 1975 and the current manpower complement of 70 warm bodies for being vital contributors in carving a corporate history imbued with courage, vision and professionalism, especially in making the Port of Davao a leading international hub.
