The state-run Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has temporarily postponed the approval of a terminal fee adjustment at the Batangas Port in response to the declared state of calamity in Oriental Mindoro.
In a statement on Wednesday, August 13, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago temporarily suspended any decision on the application of Asian Terminals Inc (ATI) to increase the terminal fee at the Batangas port from P30 to P100.
“After the state of calamity, the PPA will decide whether or not to approve ATI’s request,” Santiago said.
“While the PPA is studying the petition for terminal fee increase, the PPA is aware that Oriental Mindoro, where many of our fellow citizens using the Batangas Passenger Terminal reside, is currently under a state of calamity. Therefore, in response to Governor Bonz Dolor’s appeal, (the PPA has decided) to postpone the terminal fee increase while Oriental Mindoro is still under the state of calamity,” he added.
A public consultation on the terminal fee increase has been conducted with the affected sectors, the local government, private sector, and regular passengers, to carefully study the impact on commuters in the largest port of the Philippines.
Santiago said the PPA has been working with concerned local governments and relevant agencies to accelerate the rehabilitation and recovery of the areas affected by recent typhoons.
Upon the lifting of the declared state of calamity, the PPA Technical Working Group will respond to ATI’s petition for terminal fee adjustment by balancing its impact on passengers, port operations, and the local economy, Santiago said.
The PPA explained that the proposed terminal fee increase has been due to the recent improvements at the upgraded Batangas Port, which was inaugurated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the PPA said.
The upgraded Batangas port now features one of the country’s newest passenger terminal buildings, capable of accommodating 8,000 passengers with modern facilities, at any given time, the PPA said.
