Wednesday, August 29, 2007 Suspend increase in airport fees By Grace L. Plata
THE Davao City Council on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution, requesting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to suspend the implementation of a department order mandating an increase in airport fees.
Terminal fees at the Davao City International Airport have increased -- from P40 to P200 for domestic flights and from P500 to P550 for international flights -- starting Tuesday.
At P40, the Davao airport had been one of the cheapest terminal fees, but at P200, it is now charging the same fee as that of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport domestic travel in Metro Manila.
The city councilors immediately moved to at least suspend the implementation of Department Order No. 2007-25 issued by DOTC, mandating the increase in terminal fees in various airports all over the country.
Councilor Peter Laviña, author of the resolution and chair of the committee on trade, commerce and industry, said the increase is clearly an added burden on passengers and is expected to adversely affect travel and tourism being promoted by the City Government.
Laviña also expressed apprehension over the implementation of the order without prior consultation with the City Council.
"The increase is unjustifiable especially since there were no public hearings or prior consultation on the said increase with the City Council of Davao, the elected representatives of the people," Laviña said.
He said such increase places the city at the losing end.
"The fees would all go to the national coffers, which means Dabawenyos will be paying but get nothing in return," Laviña said.
Laviña added that since Dabawenyos would have to pay exorbitant terminal fees, DOTC should give out a percentage of the collection, which will be used for airport maintenance and for city's tourism campaigns.
He said he was quite surprised to know upon checking DOTC's website that while the DOTC order requires all airport personnel to pay terminal fees, DOTC and Air Transportation Office (ATO) personnel are exempted.
