No terminal fee hikes in seaports amid surging oil prices — PPA

Passengers traveling by sea can expect some relief as the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced that it will not increase the terminal fees in ports across the country amid the climbing fuel prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“Sa PPA, wala po tayong pagtaas ng terminal fee sa mga pantalan, in fact libre rin po ang terminal fee ng mga senior citizens, estudyante, uniformed personnel, at PWD sa pantalan,” PPA general manager Jay Santiago said, according to a social media post shared by GMA Integrated News reporter Joseph Morong.

(At the PPA, there will be no increase in terminal fees at ports. In fact, terminal fees remain free for senior citizens, students, uniformed personnel, and persons with disabilities.)

No increase in terminal fees in ports amidst oil price hikes says Philippine Ports Authority @gmanews @24orasgma pic.twitter.com/F6jaEtPU2i

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) March 24, 2026

A terminal fee is what passengers or cargo shippers pay to use port facilities, including waiting areas, restrooms, and security.

Meanwhile, Santiago said waiving port fees will not affect the price of petroleum products, but will take a toll on PPA’s operations since the agency shoulders all of its expenses as it does not receive any subsidy from the government

“Pagdating naman sa port charges, linawin po natin na ang share lamang po ng gobyerno dyan ay 10% lamang na katumbas ng 0.3% ng presyo ng bilihin pagdating sa mga tindahan. Ang malaking bahaging presyo ng transportasyon ng mga bilihin ay sa shipping charges na nagkakahalaga ng halos 50% ng logistics cost ng mga bilihin,” Santiago explained.

(We wish to clarify that the government’s share in port charges is only 10% or about 0.3 percent of retail prices. Meanwhile, shipping costs make up most of the transport expenses, accounting for nearly 50% of logistics costs.)

Port authorities collect port fees from shipping owners for using the facility and its services, such as docking, cargo handling, security, and storage.

“Kung mawawala ang port charges walang ipapa-sweldo sa mga kawani ng PPA, walang pantustos sa kanyang operasyon at pambayad sa mga ginagawang proyekto nito,” he added.

(If port charges are removed, the PPA will have no funds to pay its employees, operate, or fund its projects.)

Diesel prices are expected to jump as high as over P130 per liter, while gasoline may climb past P100 a liter this week as the series of mega oil price hikes enters its third week.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said oil prices went up less this week compared to the previous week  “because there has been a slowdown on the increase on the per barrel price in the international market.”

“Even though it is smaller than last week, this is still a significant jump, considering that it will still affect our transportation industry as well as all industries, as well as the buying power of our households, you know,” Garin said. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News