The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has issued an administrative order that will pave the way for the implementation of the P1 terminal fee for Roll on-Roll Off vehicles carrying raw and unprocessed agricultural products in all the agency’s supervised and managed ports.

The existing Ro-Ro Terminal Fee (RRTF) ranges from P65.00 to P516.00 depending on the vehicle type. But this will become P1 once the new policy takes effect.

PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the move is intended to help ease the burden on transport and food supply such as rice, corn, fruits, vegetables, fishery products, and live livestock or poultry.

“This reduced Ro-Ro Terminal Fee (RRTF) will help lower the cost of transporting agricultural products. Our goal is to make sure food can move quickly from farms to markets and remain affordable for Filipino consumers,” said Santiago.

“PPA continues to support farmers, traders, and transport operators while improving connections between islands through a more efficient port system,” he added.

Under the PPA Administrative Order No. 003-2026, light delivery trucks under Type 3 vehicles like delivery trucks, vans, and pick-up trucks; and heavy delivery trucks classified as Type 4 vehicles will be included in the almost zero terminal fee.

The order, however, does not include those carrying processed goods.

Santiago said the reduction is also expected to translate into fuel savings for transport operators, with estimates showing that for every 100 liters of fuel, the lower RRTF effectively brings down fuel costs by around P5 per liter.

He said the P1 terminal fee will be in place for six months but may be extended or adjusted depending on fuel prices and its impact on operations.

“With fuel prices continuing to affect daily expenses, the PPA said it will keep rolling out practical measures like this to help lower transport costs and support Filipino consumers,” he said.

According to Santiago, all PPA Port Management Offices (PMOs), together with terminal and cargo handling operators, are tasked to ensure proper implementation.

He said cargo declarations and vehicle documents will be checked, and inspections may be conducted to confirm eligibility.

The PPA, however, warned that false declarations will be penalized with double the regular Ro-Ro Terminal Fee, along with possible administrative, civil, or criminal charges.

Earlier, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez said the lowered RRTF aligns with government policies on food security, price stabilization, and logistics efficiency while ensuring uninterrupted and cost-effective inter-island distribution of essential agricultural commodities.

"The decreased RORO Terminal Fee will help in lowering the operating costs of owners or drivers of vehicles with agricultural products," Lopez said