Lapu’s P100 environmental fee ‘too minimal’ to deter tourists

CEBU, Philippines — The P100 environmental fee imposed by the Lapu-Lapu City government did not discourage tourists from visiting the city, said City Councilor Dr. Emilio Galaroza Jr., on July 11, 2024.

To discuss the vision of enhancing their city to attract more tourists, the Lapu-Lapu City Government, through the City Tourism Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (TCHAC) hosted a Tourism Dialogue in partnership with Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

One of the ordinances tackled was the one authored by Councilor Annabeth Cuizon, which imposes a P100 environmental fee on tourists who engage in water sports and recreational activities in Lapu-Lapu.  

Ordinance No. 16-132-2023, which establishes an environmental users activity system in Lapu-Lapu City and imposes penalties for violations, was approved in December 2023 and implemented starting May 1.

The ordinance aims to supplement the budget for enhancing the city's environment, especially as the influx of tourists have increased.

Galaroza believed that the P100 fee is so minimal compared to the environmental fees collected in other cities, stating that the P100 fee is not a hindrance for tourists to explore the island stressing that other LGUs even collect higher fees compared to Lapu-Lapu.

However, in the municipality of Cordova, the environmental fee is only pegged at P10 but the LGU is also eyeing to increase it to P25 per tourist soon. 

The local government od Lapu-Lapu believes that the environmental fee does not deter tourists from participating in water recreational activities and sports but rather supports environmental enhancement.

Moreover, City Treasurer Claire Cabalda reported that environmental fees collected from various ports and resorts, including Angasil Port, Hilton Port, Marigondon Port, Buyong Port, Bantay Dagat, and Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort generated P2,088,290 and P2,146,635 for the months of May and June, respectively.

This revenue is crucial as it supplements the modest P120 million budget allocated to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) this year. Of this amount, P115 million goes towards hiring job order personnel, including garbage collectors, while P5 million supports other CENRO programs and activities.

In addition, Councilor Cuizon proposed allocating P53 million of the collected environmental fee's revenue to various municipal projects.

This includes P3 million for the purchase of garbage bins and P5.7 million for hauling garbage from transfer stations to the landfill. Additionally, P12 million is allocated for the acquisition of three garbage trucks, each costing P4 million. The salary for additional drivers and garbage collectors is set at P2 million.

ther significant allocations include P500,000 for portable septic tanks and P336,000 for desludging washrooms at Angasil and Maribago ports. The rehabilitation of corals is budgeted at P3 million while P500,000 is designated for the purchase of a motor banca for Bantay Dagat. Renovation of Angasil Port will cost P15 million and P12 million is allocated for the perimeter fencing of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF).