Civil Aviation Authority sets another public hearing on terminal fee hike

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, May 3 (PIA) -- The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has set another date for public hearing on its proposal to increase terminal fee on May 10, at the Asturias Hotel in this city.

This is the second public hearing to be conducted for the purpose of informing the public of a proposed hike of terminal fee of the Puerto Princesa Airport, and to obtain the pulse, commentaries, and recommendations of the public regarding the increase.

The public hearing will be attended by top officials of the CAAP and the Department of Transportation and Communications.

The airport terminal fee in Puerto Princesa City as well as in other domestic airports in the country is proposed to be increased from Ph40 to P200 in a bid to generate more funds for the maintenance and improvement of the terminal.

The proposed hike was met with objections by the business sector, some local officials and the media especially those who were not informed of the proposed hike and the hearing held last April 26.

The P40 terminal fee has been imposed to all departing passengers since 1998 covered by a department order.

After undergoing a complete makeover and renovation, the passenger terminal building was inaugurated barely three years ago. Its check-in and pre-departure areas were designed to cater to a maximum of 700 passengers. (LBR/VSM-PIA Palawan)

By Victoria Asuncion S. Mendoza