A private driver was waiting for his change to the P50 he paid for parking at the Iloilo International Airport. But he was startled when the security guard said that the minimum charge has been raised to P50.

The P50 is for the first two hours of parking, he learned, and that additional P25 is charged for every succeeding hour.

“Malaki talaga. Kung ang driver walang dalang pocket money, magugulat talaga siya kung susundo sa kanyang amo. Magugulat talaga siya na kulang ang pera. Ang ibang driver kasi walang baong pera,” Jonel Teruel, a private driver, said.

Since the hike in parking fees was implemented, alias “Kapid,” another driver, makes sure he parks outside of the airport.

“Ang taas talaga. Sa P50 na babayaran sa parking, paano kung hindi ka naman tumagal [magtatagal]?” alias “Kapid” pointed out.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Iloilo chapter has expressed worry on the hike in parking charges and other airport fees deemed exorbitant.

“Malaki ang impact nito as we are positioning Iloilo as a tourist-friendly destination. Malaki ang impact nito sa mga bumibisita sa Iloilo. Concerned rin tayo sa impact nito sa mga business travelers,” according to Prince Juliene Hermaine Celo of the PCCI-Iloilo Board of Director.

Celo also underscored that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Area VI did not even invite PCCI-Iloilo in its public consultations.

PCCI-Iloilo has urged CAAP Area VI to initiate a dialogue on the increase in fees.

PCCI-Iloilo has further mulled on coordinating with its national counterparts to raise their grievances to the Department of Transportation (DoTr).

GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas tried to get a comment from CAAP Area VI on the matter, but no one came to speak with the news team.