The Philippine Ports Authority’s (PPA) Passenger Terminal Fee Exemption (PTFE) program has benefitted 8.77 million passengers nationwide since its expansion in 2019, easing the travel expenses of senior citizens, students, persons with disability (PWDs), uniformed personnel, and Medal of Valor awardees with their first-degree dependents.
Through PPA Administrative Order No. 04-2019, the agency grants free terminal fees to students, senior citizens, PWDs, and uniformed personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in all PPA-owned passenger terminals upon presentation of valid IDs. This is an upgraded privilege from the previous 20% discount to full exemption, resulting in a total of ₱219.26 million in waived fees over seven years.
As of July 2025, 1,692,377 passengers have benefitted from the policy, translating to ₱34.27 million in foregone revenue shouldered by the PPA. Students comprise the largest group with 814,253 beneficiaries (₱17.27 million), followed by 682,371 senior citizens (₱12.93 million), 124,519 PWDs (₱2.58 million), and 71,234 uniformed personnel (₱1.49 million). PMO Batangas recorded the highest number of senior citizen beneficiaries at 94,623, while PMO Mindoro posted the highest exemption value at ₱2.24 million.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago stressed that the sustained implementation of the PTFE policy underscores the agency’s commitment to inclusive access to maritime transport.
“PPA remains committed to ensuring equitable access to maritime transport. By continuing to exempt these sectors from terminal fees, we recognize their contributions to society and reduce their travel expenses,” GM Santiago said.
