Davao’s FILPORT receives international recognition

The Davao City-based Filipinas Port  Services, Inc. (FILPORT) has been awarded with the much-coveted ISO 9001:2008.
FILPORT is actually the Davao City local government’s official partner in the operation of both Sta. Ana pier  and Sasa Wharf.
The  Sasa Wharf, in particular, is considered to be the biggest in Mindanao in terms of the volume of cargo handled.
The award was received by FILPORT officials led by its president, Henry Lopez-Chua, during  cocktails ceremony at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao last night.
According to Lopez-Chua, the ISO award is symbolic of the company’s long-time devotion  to quality management as well as a dedication to professional and systematic approach to its operations.
Lopez-Chua pointed out that the international recognition likewise means that FILPORT’s management system meets the requirements of the ISO 9001:2008 standard.
“This will assure our clienteles of achieving the best service possible in their cargo handling requirements. It also strengthens the commitment of FILPORT  to the local government  since Davao City is also considered as a gateway  to other countries not only in the ASEAN region but as well as in Europe and in the United States,” Lopez-Chua said.
Aside from Lopez-Chua, FILPORT’s operation is also managed by a team of veteran industry leaders  Victoriano Go, chairman;  Elierzer de Jesus treasurer and Agustin Soriano, general manager.
Organized in 1976, FILPORT officially started its operation on February 16, 1977 as the sole and exclusive cargo handling operator tasked to provide services to all domestic sea vessels calling at the government port of Sasa Wharf and the Sta. Ana pier.
The designation of FILPORT at the Sasa Wharf and Sta. Ana Pier in February 1977  was in response to the Philippine Ports Authority Administrative Order No. 13-77 mandating that only one cargo handling contractor will operate in every port. Prior to this date, stevedoring and arrastre services for coastwise or domestic cargoes loaded on and/or in inter-island vessels calling at these ports were being handled by several multiple cargo handling operators in Davao City.