Traders buck P150 airport terminal fee

BUSINESSMEN in Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental strongly opposed the proposed P150 terminal fee in the Dumaguete airport.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) conducted a public hearing and consultation for the proposed adjustment of the terminal fee from P30 to P150.

Ed Du, president of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), said the proposal is impractical and without basis.

Du, however, clarified that he is not against the proposed adjustment of the airport terminal fee but it should be in accordance with what is needed, practical and reasonable.

Instead of P150, Du is pushing for P115 airport terminal fee while some businessmen are for P80 to P100.

Airport Manager Veronica Chuang said it is the high time to adjust the rate in order to shoulder the increasing expenses to run the airport.

Aside from the daily maintenance, Chuang said the airport has ongoing projects amounting P75 million for the expanding of the airplane’s parking area and asphalting of runway.

The projects are part of the preparation for additional flight next month.

CAAP is also planning to renovate the Dumaguete airport by putting a second floor for offices while the whole ground floor will be the departure area. (Victor L. Camion/Sunnex)