P20 terminal fee in Santa Fe takes effect

CEBU, Philippines — The local government of Santa Fe in Bantayan Island is imposing a P20 collection fee on every person entering and "using/and or availing the comfort and convenience of the facilities of the municipal terminal."

The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) passed an ordinance to this effect in November 2022.

According to the council "the collection of terminal fee amounting to P5.00 pursuant to Municipal Ordinance No. 09-2006 is in effect for already sixteen years and there is a need to increase the same considering inflation and the costs of maintaining the terminal."

The council furthered that the LGU must ensure that the town's passengers’ terminal must be maintained and should be equipped with presentable chairs, air-conditioned units, stalls, clean comfort rooms and other facilities for the convenience of the passengers.

Exempted from this local law are the residents of Santa Fe, senior citizens, persons with disability (PWD) and children 7 years old and below.

Those individuals violating the ordinance will have to pay P500 as penalty or maybe imprisoned for a month.

The ordinance was already signed into local law by Mayor Ithamar Espinosa on February 16, 2023. — (FREEMAN)