The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has warned passengers against third-party operators who are reportedly demanding additional payment for passenger vessels as a booking fee.
In a statement, General Manager Jay Santiago said incidents of overpricing must be immediately reported in order for proper actions, especially with the expected influx of passengers this Christmas season.
"We would like to inform the passengers that the PPA does not charge additional fee for booking services," said Santiago.
He said vessel passengers must only pay ferry ticket, terminal fee and environmental fee being charged by the local government units (LGUs)
“Sa mga pasahero po ng bus na gagamit ng pantalan, tandaan niyo po na dapat 3 lang po ang binabayaran niyo—una ay ang Ferry ticket na pamasahe niyo, ang terminal fee sa PPA, at ang environmental fee sa LGU,” paalala ni Santiago.
The PPA issued the warning following reports that some third-party operators are charging bus passengers with additional P20 as booking fee for vessels.
Santiago vowed to investigate the incident.
The PPA has started conducting preparations for the influx of passengers.
In May this year, the agency recorded 10,000 daily passengers in Matnog Port in Sorsogon, alone.
Based on the PPA data from January to October this year, over 48.2 million passengers were recorded nationwide which is 108 percent higher compared to the number of passengers recorded at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic last year.