Batangas Port terminal fee stays ‘til yearend - PPA
Batangas, Philippines - Terminal fees at the Batangas Port – a major gateway from Luzon to the southern regions, will not increase – at least this year, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said as it reviews the petition to triple the current rate.
In a chance interview on Monday, Oct. 27, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said the agency is still “taking into consideration” the application of listed port operator, Asian Terminal Inc. (ATI), to hike fees from P30 to P100.
“Makikita po natin ang napakalaking improvement dito sa Batangas port at we will take that into consideration. Pero hindi po natin sinasabi na makukuha nila ‘yung buong 100 but we do recognize the investments that they made,” he said, after inspecting the gateway on Monday, Oct. 27, for the expected holiday exodus on Undas.
[Translation: We can see major improvements here at Batangas Port and we will take that into consideration. But we’re not saying we will grant the increase in full. We recognize the investments they made.]
In August, the PPA deferred the terminal fee increase in light of a request from Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor, who sought to postpone the hike while the province – whose residents often pass through the gateway – was under a state of calamity.
ATI is a Philippine Stock Exchange-listed port operator and part of the global port network of Dubai-based DP World. It also operates the Manila South Harbor, and off-dock container yards in Sta. Mesa, Manila and Calamba City, Laguna.
Batangas Port was expanded and modernized in 2024, tripling the passenger capacity from 2,500 to 8,000.
Online ticketing system
Meanwhile, acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez directed the PPA to fast-track the rollout of an online ticketing system to address long queues every peak season.
During his inspection, Lopez said other shipping lines have yet to adopt an online system where passengers can book tickets electronically.
Santiago said while they are putting systems in place, this will not be carried out by Christmas where millions of passengers are expected to flock to ports.
“May resistance din kasi sa shipping lines. And at the same time, sa ibang nakaraang pamumuno sa DOTr medyo malamig din ang pagtanggap nila doon sa sistemang pino-propose natin,” he said.
[Translation: Other shipping lines are resistant. At the same time, during the previous leaderships of DOTr, they were cold on the system we are proposing.]
In April, the DOTr - led by then Secretary Vince Dizon - vowed to fix e-ticketing kiosks before Christmas at the Batangas Port to avoid long passenger lines.
The PPA estimates 19,000 to 22,000 passengers in the port for the All Saints and All Souls Day holidays – with the peak expected on Thursday, Oct. 30.
Over two million passengers are expected from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5 nationwide, the agency added.
