Legal basis and related authorities
- The classification is adopted pursuant to Section 1145 of the Revised Administrative Code.
- The classification is adopted pursuant to Commonwealth Act No. 175.
- Municipal ports are governed in administration and operation under Chapter Thirty-nine of the Administrative Code.
- National port administration and operation are placed under the direct supervision and control of the Insular Collector of Customs.
Policy and purpose of classification
- The classification is intended to fix responsibility for the proper administration, operation, and maintenance of ports.
- National ports are designated to cover ports primarily of importance to foreign, interisland, and inter-provincial commerce.
- Ports necessary for enforcing customs regulations or for national defense may be classified as national ports.
- Municipal ports cover all ports not classified as national ports.
Definitions and key official roles
- National ports are ports primarily of importance to foreign, interisland, and inter-provincial commerce.
- Municipal ports are all other ports not classified as national ports.
- The Insular Collector of Customs exercises direct supervision and control over national ports.
- Municipal councils administer and operate municipal ports.
- The Director of Public Works provides advice and general supervision over municipal port works.
Coverage: national ports designation rules
- National ports are those primarily important to foreign, interisland, and inter-provincial commerce.
- Other ports may be classified as national ports if their geographical location makes them necessary for enforcing customs regulations or for national defense.
- The improvement and maintenance of national ports are financed by the Commonwealth Government.
- National ports are administered and operated under the direct supervision and control of the Insular Collector of Customs.
National ports: ports open to overseas
- The national ports designated as ports open to overseas shipping are the following:
- Albay — (1) Legaspi; (2) Tabaco.
- Cagayan — (3) Aparri.
- Camarines Norte — (4) Jose PaAganiban (formerly Mambulao.
- Cebu — (5) Cebu; (12) Toledo.
- Davao — (6) Davao; (16) Mati.
- Iloilo — (7) Iloilo.
- Manila — (8) Manila.
- Occidental Negros — (9) Pulupandan.
- Sulu — (10) Jolo; (44) Cagayan de Sulu; (45) Sitankai.
- Tayabas — (11) Hondagua.
- Zamboanga — (12) Zamboanga; (49) Puluan.
- Additional national-port entries under the Order include provincial groupings for designation under the national-port list structure.
National ports: coastwise trade only
- National ports also include ports designated as open to coastwise trade only.
- Under this category, designated national ports include:
- Agusan — (1) Nasipit.
- Albay — (2) Virac (Catanduanes).
- Antique — (3) San Jose de Buenavista.
- Bataan — (4) Mariveles.
- Batanes — (5) Basco; (6) Contra Costa.
- Batangas — (7) Batangas; (8) Nasugbu.
- Bohol — (9) Tagbilaran.
- Capiz — (10) Capiz; (11) New Washington.
- Cebu — (12) Toledo.
- Cotabato — (13) Makar; (14) Parang.
- Davao — (15) Glan (Sarangani Bay); (16) Mati.
- Ilocos Norte — (17) Currimao (Ga-an Bay).
- Ilocos Sur — (18) San Ildefonso; (19) Solvec.
- Lanao — (20) Iligan.
- La Union — (21) San Fernando.
- Leyte — (22) Maasin; (23) Ormoc; (24) Tacloban.
- Marinduque — (25) Santa Cruz.
- Masbate — (26) Masbate; (27) San Pascual (Burias Island).
- Mindoro — (28) Calapan; (29) Mangarin.
- Occidental Misamis — (30) Jimenez.
- Oriental Misamis — (31) Cagayan.
- Occidental Negros — (32) San Carlos; (33) Dumaguete; (34) Larena (Siquijor).
- Palawan — (35) Balabac; (36) Culion; (37) Puerto Princesa.
- Romblon — (38) Romblon.
- Samar — (39) Borongan; (40) Carangian; (41) Catbalogan.
- Sorsogon — (42) Bulan; (43) Gubat.
- Surigao — (46) Surigao.
- Zambales — (47) Masinloc; (48) Subic.
- The Order further lists national-port entries under the coastwise-only category within the same designation structure by province and port name/numbering.
Municipal ports: scope and governance
- Municipal ports comprise all ports not classified as national ports.
- Municipal councils administer and operate municipal ports.
- Municipal ports remain subject to general regulations issued by the Insular Collector of Customs under Chapter Thirty-nine of the Administrative Code.
- Municipal port maintenance and improvement are financed by the municipalities concerned.
- Municipal port maintenance and improvement may be financed through appropriations authorized by the Commonwealth Government.
- Work on municipal ports must be carried out with the advice and under the general supervision of the Director of Public Works.
Reclassification between municipal and national
- Any municipal port may be declared a national port when necessary in the interest of commerce, for enforcing customs regulations, or for national defense purposes.
- Any national port may be declared a municipal port when necessary in the interest of commerce, for enforcing customs regulations, or for national defense purposes.
Effectivity and transitory timing
- The classification established by the Order takes effect on January 1, 1937.
- The Order is dated December 03, 1936.
- No specific transitional procedure for existing ports is provided within the Order.