Following directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs on Filipino consumers, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Wednesday that it is considering a reduction in airport-related charges to keep airfares affordable during the upcoming Holy Week peak season.
During a press briefing at the Presidential Communications Office, DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez confirmed that the department is currently studying adjustments to landing and take-off fees managed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
“We are meeting with our airlines to discuss mitigating measures,” Secretary Lopez stated. “Our focus is not necessarily on the airlines themselves, but on the ripple effect on airfare for passengers who want to travel. We are looking at fees we can adjust—such as landing and take-off fees—to stabilize prices despite the surge in demand.”
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Targeted Reductions: The study focuses on operational fees that directly influence ticket pricing.
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Stabilizing Costs: The move aims to cushion the blow for thousands of Filipinos traveling to provinces or abroad for the Lenten break.
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Next Steps: The proposal is expected to be presented to the CAAP Board for approval as early as next week once the feasibility study is finalized.
This initiative is part of a larger multi-agency effort led by the Marcos administration to address economic pressures triggered by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. President Marcos has previously signaled a suite of interventions, including:
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Potential tax adjustments on petroleum products.
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Targeted fuel subsidies for the transport sector.
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Mandatory energy-saving measures across government offices.
While the exact amount of the fee reduction is still being determined, Secretary Lopez emphasized that the priority is to ensure the “ripple down” effect reaches the riding public as soon as possible.
