THE Lapu-Lapu City Government has significantly reduced the environmental fee for local tourists using island hopping services, cutting it from P100 to P20.
This decision aims to revive the city’s tourism industry and help local boat operators recover lost income.
Local tourists pay an environmental fee of P100 for island hopping and other water sports, such as scuba diving, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking and banana boat riding. This was imposed on May 1, 2024.
Under the newly amended City Ordinance 16-132-2023, approved by the City Council on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the environmental fee for local tourists specifically for island hopping has been reduced by P80. Councilor Annabeth Cuizon confirmed this amendment to Section 8, Sub-Paragraph B, Item 1 to SunStar.
The new P20 fee applies exclusively to local tourists using pump boats operated by Lapu-Lapu resident boatmen who hold valid, City-issued business permits. These accredited operators are identifiable by permits displayed on their boats and verified against a list provided to fee collectors by the Business Permit and Licensing Office.
Cuizon clarified that the P100 fee for foreign tourists remains unchanged. The amendment will take effect after fulfilling the requirements outlined in the Local Government Code, including publication of the ordinance in newspapers of general circulation.
Livelihood
The policy change comes in response to a sharp decline in island-hopping tourists following the fee’s implementation. During a public hearing in May, boatmen raised concerns about income losses and the environmental fee’s adverse impact on their livelihoods.
“With the low number of tourists availing themselves of the island hopping activity this year, we feel that there is a need to adjust the fees to also consider the declining income of the residents whose livelihood depends on the tourists,” said Cuizon.
Lapu-Lapu City is a popular tourist destination known for its water sports, resorts and island hopping activities.
The environmental fee was initially introduced to promote sustainable tourism and finance environmental preservation projects, such as the development of a tourist hub at Maribago Port. Revenue also supports City Environmental and Natural Resources Office initiatives such as acquiring dump trucks, restoring coral reefs and conducting clean-up drives. / DPC