Batangas: The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has temporarily deferred its decision on the petition by Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) to increase the terminal fee at the Batangas Port. This decision comes amid ongoing concerns related to the current state of calamity in Oriental Mindoro.

According to Philippines News Agency, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago stated that ATI is seeking to raise the terminal fee from PHP30 to PHP100, citing improvements made at the Batangas Port as the reason for the proposed increase. However, the PPA decided to suspend the decision in response to a call from Oriental Mindoro Governor Bonz Dolor. The governor requested the suspension while the province deals with the ongoing state of calamity.

Santiago emphasized the importance of considering the situation in Oriental Mindoro, as many passengers using the Batangas Port Passenger Terminal are residents of the province. He assured that the PPA would make a decision on ATI’s request once the state of calamity is resolved, stating, “Matapos ang state of calamity magdedesisyon ang PPA kung nararapat bang pagbigyan ang hiling ng ATI.”

Currently, the PPA is conducting public consultations with various stakeholders, including local government representatives, the private sector, and regular passengers, to assess the potential impact of the proposed fee hike. Santiago mentioned that these consultations are crucial to understanding the effects on commuters at the largest port in the Philippines.

In addition to addressing the terminal fee issue, the PPA is continuing its efforts to coordinate with local government and other related agencies to expedite the rehabilitation of ports nationwide affected by recent typhoons. Notably, the new passenger terminal building at the Batangas Port, inaugurated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last year, is now capable of serving 8,000 passengers per day.