Probe into passenger, cargo fee spike amid San Juanico crisis sought

FILE: In time for the Christmas season, President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday evening (Oct. 19) led the ceremonial lighting of the San Juanico Bridge, now dubbed as the second longest bridge in the Philippines that connects the islands of Samar and Leyte. (Photo: Department of Tourism – Philippines/Facebook)

By Priam Nepomuceno, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has asked transportation authorities to investigate reports of alleged increases in passenger and cargo air fares in Eastern Visayas, especially in routes leading to the cities of Ormoc and Tacloban in Leyte and Catarman in Northern Samar.

In a statement Monday, the OCD said it has directed its appeal to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

In a letter to DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon, OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno expressed concern that recent restrictions on the San Juanico Bridge may have contributed to these fare hikes.

He underscored the urgency of immediate intervention to ensure the continued movement of passengers and goods, prevent further frustration among residents, and stabilize the region’s economic and market conditions.

“We respectfully appeal to the CAB and the CAAP to immediately look into this matter and implement appropriate legal measures to thwart or regulate these purported air fare and cargo fare increases,” Nepomuceno said.

Also, the OCD chief said they are deferring to the concerned agencies to explore additional remedies, such as increasing the number of flights to airports in the region such as Ormoc, Calbayog, and Catarman, even if only during the duration of the San Juanico Bridge rehabilitation.

“Considering the size of these airports, runway capacity, and night-rated navigation ability, we hope other similar options could be discussed to decongest Tacloban Airport,” he added.

Nepomuceno highlighted the importance of swift action and stressed that any immediate intervention to control the purported air fare and cargo fare increases, “if validated, would truly help diffuse the frustration of our fellow Filipinos in Region VIII (Eastern Visayas and stabilize the local market and economic conditions.”

Additionally, the OCD appealed to explore measures such as issuing provisional permits and certificates of public convenience for public transport and the movement of goods, to complement the proposed increase in flights.

The agency hopes these measures can be quickly facilitated by the Philippine Ports Authority, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Maritime Industry Authority.

The OCD reaffirmed its commitment to working with government agencies and stakeholders to ensure accessible, affordable, and reliable transportation services for residents of Eastern Visayas during this challenging period.