Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago has decided to postpone its decision on the application for higher passenger terminal fee to PHP100 from PHP30 at the Batangas port in light of the declaration of state of calamity for the Oriental Mindoro province.
Santiago issued the directive of the postponement for higher terminal fee by port operator Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) in consideration of the difficulties being experienced by Oriental Mindoro residents, who are mostly using the Batangas port.
The postponement of the terminal fee hike was in response also to the call of Oriental Mindoro Governor Bonz Dolor while the province is under a state of calamity. “PPA will decide if there is merit to grant the petition of ATI once the state of calamity is lifted,” Santiago said. A state of calamity is in effect for six months or until lifted or extended by the government.
Once the state of calamity is over, the PPA technical working group for the ATI petition to assess the impact of the terminal fee adjustment on passengers, port operation, and the local economy.
Public consultation with affected sectors, local government unit, and commuters, had been initially conducted on the terminal fee hike by ATI.
ATI said it has invested PHP1.5 billion to improve the Batangas port, but has not increased its passenger terminal fee since 2010. Comparatively, other terminals charge higher fees, including Manila North with P104.50, Boracay Port P150 and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport domestic P200, which is set to increase to P390 by September.
Santiago said that PPA continues to coordinate with the local government for faster rehabilitation from the recent typhoons.
