The proposed increase in Dumaguete airport terminal fee is being opposed by a local business group here, saying this was without basis and impractical.
In a public hearing and consultation conducted recently by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), it was revealed that the airport terminal fee will be hiked from P30 to P150.
Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ed Du said raising the terminal fee by more than 500 percent was too much, as only P115 is needed for the airport to breakeven.
Engr. Raul Glorioso, CAAP acting department manager, explained that the proposed hike aims to help recover cost of investments in airport infrastructure and navigational projects, and maintenance and operating expenses in Area 6 Airports in Central Visayas.
Glorioso said that the Dumaguete airport facilities will be improved and rehabilitated including its centralized air conditioning system, lighting facilities, and other amenities for the convenience of terminal users. The office does not have enough funds to maintain the said facilities and the only remedy is to increase its terminal fee, he added.
Ed Du, however, said while he is not against an increase in airport terminal fee per se, any price adjustment should be in accordance with what is needed, practical, and reasonable. City officials and businessmen are pushing between P85 to P115 airport terminal fee instead of P150.
Other proposed airport fee increases include those for Tagbilaran from the present P20 to P100; and Siquijor, Bantayan, and Ubay from P10 to P50. (PIA-Negros Oriental)