Two additional local government units (LGU) have joined Oriental Mindoro’s provincial board in opposing a proposed 233-percent increase in passenger terminal fees at Batangas Port, citing issues over the burden on low-income travelers and students.

The city council of Calapan and the municipal council of Odiongan in Romblon province passed separate resolutions last week opposing Asian Terminals Inc.’s (ATI-Batangas) proposal to raise the terminal fee from 30 pesos to 100 pesos.

The Oriental Mindoro Provincial Board was the first to voice opposition through Resolution No. 7789-2025, with Vice Governor Antonio Perez Jr. saying the increase “would be a burden especially to daily wage earners, students and those belonging to the needy sector.”

On July 14, 2025 Odiongan’s municipal council passed a resolution strongly opposing the fee hike, arguing it would particularly impact workers, students and low-income residents who depend on affordable transportation to and from Luzon.

“The sudden increase in passenger fees will only add to the expenses of passengers, especially those in low-income and marginalized sectors,” the Odiongan resolution said.

Calapan City’s council has also passed a resolution objecting to the proposed increase, with councilors Rafael Infantado and Lorybelle Tanyag-Panaligan sponsoring the measure.

The opposition follows a July 4, 2025 public hearing where ATI-Batangas justified the increase by citing P1.5 billion in port improvements that can now accommodate 8,000 passengers with facilities “comparable to modern international airports in developed countries.”

The company said 30 percent of the new fee would go to maintenance and infrastructure upkeep, 18 percent to labor costs, and 14 percent to safety and security measures, with the remainder covering utilities and administrative expenses.

Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor has requested authorization from the provincial board to file civil action against the proposal, arguing the “significant increase will burden travelers traveling to and from Oriental Mindoro.”

ATI-Batangas noted the fees have not been revised since 2010 and that uniformed personnel, senior citizens, students, Medal of Valor recipients, and persons with disabilities would be exempted from the terminal fee.

The Batangas International Port serves as a crucial transportation hub connecting mainland Luzon to Mindoro and other islands in Mimaropa region and in the Visayas areas.

Photos: courtesy of Ala Eh Batangas City FB Page