Ship passengers were charged by as much as 29 percent increase in fare.
SHIP passengers are calling the attention of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) about the exorbitant fare increase implemented by ship companies in the country.
This is the complaint of passengers passing through Batangas Port, especially those going to the province of Oriental Mindoro this holiday season.
It was learned that there were passengers who were almost unable to board the ship due to high fares implemented by the ship owners even without public notice.
It was learned that from P468 to P528 or 12.82% the fare increase implemented by the Montenegro ship while from P450 to P530 or 17.77% for the Starlite ship.
The highest fare was recorded on the FasCat ship allegedly owned by former general manager of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Christopher ‘Chet’ Pastrana, which increased from P420 to P542 or a 29.05% increase in fares.
Despite the complaints of the passengers, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, including DOTr Undersecretary for Maritime Sector Elmer Sarmiento and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Hernani Fabia who have a mandate on the issue, continue to keep mum.
“It’s not just train, jeepney and bus passengers who are having trouble with high fares. We also have ship passengers who are being abused by shipping lines so it’s only right that the government should also help us,” lamented a passenger who refused to be named.
The price of goods also increased significantly because the said fare includes the so-called rolling cargo or the trucks that carry the products to be sold in the markets. The order of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. was strict: to lower the cost of the people’s travel. But despite this, the DOTr and MARINA just let the ships raise their fares disrespectfully.
