The government will roll out sweeping fee cuts across airports and seaports next month to blunt the impact of soaring global fuel prices, with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) targeting relief for passengers, airlines, and cargo operators.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced Tuesday, March 24 that terminal fees at airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will drop by P200 starting April 1, 2026, alongside reductions of up to P5,000 in landing and other airport charges.
Lopez said the temporary cuts, which will run for three months subject to review, aim to ease mounting cost pressures on carriers and prevent a sharper spike in airfares as jet fuel prices surge.
Citing data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), he noted that jet fuel prices have jumped by 118.8 percent to $197 per barrel as of March 20 compared to the same period last year.
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has already authorized airlines to raise fuel surcharges from Level 4 to Level 8 in response to the spike. Under Level 8, passengers pay an additional P253 to P787 for domestic flights, depending on distance, and P835.05 to P6,208.98 for international routes.
To complement the aviation relief, Lopez said the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will implement the “Piso RoRo” program starting April 15, 2026. The initiative will cut terminal fees for Class 3 and Class 4 vehicles transporting agricultural goods to just P1 from the current P516.
“This measure aims to lower logistics costs for shipping lines and businesses, ultimately helping stabilize the prices of basic commodities amid rising fuel expenses,” Lopez said.
The reduced RORO fees will remain in place for six months, he added.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.