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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PPA: 8.8 M people benefitted from free terminal fee in PH ports

PPA: 8.8 M people benefitted from free terminal fee in PH ports

Published Aug 20, 2025 09:34 am

At A Glance

  • Aside from students, senior citizens and uniformed personnel, the PPA's Passenger Terminal Fee Exemption (PTFE) program also covers persons with disability (PWDs) and Medal of Valor awardees with their first-degree dependents.
photo: PPA
photo: PPA
Around 8.8 million people have benefitted from terminal fee exemptions for students, uniformed personnel and senior citizens since it was implemented in all ports across the country, the Philippine Ports Authority’s (PPA) said.
The PPA’s Passenger Terminal Fee Exemption (PTFE) program also covers persons with disability (PWDs) and Medal of Valor awardees with their first-degree dependents. The uniformed personnel, on the other hand, include Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the full exemption from payment of terminal fee resulted in a total of ₱219.26 million in waived fees since 2019.
“PPA remains committed to ensuring equitable access to maritime transport. By continuing to exempt these sectors from terminal fees, we recognize their contributions to society and reduce their travel expenses,” Santiago said.
“Since 2019, the policy has consistently reduced travel expenses for millions of Filipinos, in line with the PPA’s mandate to serve the public and promote inclusive growth in the country’s maritime industry,” he added.
As of July 2025, PPA data revealed that a total of 1,692,377 passengers have benefitted from the policy, which translates to ₱34.27 million in foregone revenue shouldered by the PPA.
Students comprise the largest group with 814,253 beneficiaries (₱17.27 million), followed by 682,371 senior citizens (₱12.93 million), 124,519 PWDs (₱2.58 million), and 71,234 uniformed personnel (₱1.49 million).
PMO Batangas recorded the highest number of senior citizen beneficiaries at 94,623, while PMO Mindoro posted the highest exemption value at ₱2.24 million.
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