Palace open to probe on airport terminal fee integration

Malacañang is open to the plan of the Senate to investigate the scheduled integration of terminal fee with airplane tickets, which some lawmakers earlier described as disadvantageous to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Senate probe will provide a venue for the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and airport officials to explain the terminal fee integration plan.

“Kung mayroong mga katanungan, agam-agam o alinlangan ang ibang sektor, mayroon ding pagkakataon na isagawa ang paglilinaw sa isang maayos na paraan,” Coloma told reporters.

“Isa riyan ‘yung pagkakaroon ng pagdinig sa ating Kongreso at ito ay magsisilbing pagkakataon para bigyan ng liwanag kung bakit nagsasagawa ng mga bagong patakaran,” he added.

Coloma maintained that the proposal took into account the concerns of OFWs, who under the law are exempted from paying terminal fees.

Last year, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) issued Memorandum Circular No. 08, which seeks to integrate terminal fees amounting to P550 per passenger in all plane tickets.

Pro-overseas Filipino worker groups had assailed the integration, saying it would violate Republic Act 10022, the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, which exempts migrant workers from paying terminal fees

Last October, a Pasay City court issued a temporary restraining order halting for 20 days the plan to integrate the terminal fee into the prices of plane tickets.

Malacañang said over the weekend that the integration of the terminal fee in plane tickets will already be implemented starting next month.

A few months ago, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, an administration ally, called for a legislative probe on the integrated terminal fee proposal—KBK, GMA News

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

PCG: China’s bullying in West Philippine Sea undermines international law --- Ghio Ong - The Philippine Star

China ships maintain presence in key West Philippine Sea areas --- Michael Punongbayan - The Philippine Star

Social media seen as cause of rising intermarriages --- Helen Flores - The Philippine Star