Rep. Poe asks DOTr to remove or subsidize terminal fees

Rep. Brian Poe of FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to remove or subsidize terminal fees for Filipino travelers.

Poe argued that since 82 percent of terminal fee revenues go to the national treasury, a portion should be returned to passengers as subsidies or reductions.

He highlighted the significant increases in terminal fees, with domestic charges now at PHP390 and international fees rising to PHP950.

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez stated that 18 percent of terminal fee revenue goes to the concessionaire for operational costs, while the rest is remitted to the national treasury.

Lopez confirmed that the DOTr would follow any mandate from Congress to reallocate revenues as subsidies, provided it becomes law and does not violate existing concession agreements.