The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said its Passenger Terminal Fee Exemption (PTFE) program has benefitted 8.77 million passengers nationwide since its expansion in 2019.
The state-run port authority said the program helps reduce travel costs for senior citizens, students, persons with disabilities (PWDs), uniformed personnel, and Medal of Valor awardees, along with their first-degree dependents.
Through PPA Administrative Order No. 04-2019, the agency grants free terminal fees to students, senior citizens, PWDs, and uniformed personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in all PPA-owned passenger terminals upon presentation of valid IDs. This is an upgraded privilege from the previous 20 percent discount to full exemption, resulting in a total of P219.26 million in waived fees over seven years.
As of July 2025, 1,692,377 passengers have benefitted from the policy, translating to P34.27 million in foregone revenue shouldered by the PPA.
Students comprise the largest group with 814,253 beneficiaries (P17.27 million), followed by 682,371 senior citizens (P12.93 million), 124,519 PWDs (P2.58 million), and 71,234 uniformed personnel (P1.49 million). PMO Batangas recorded the highest number of senior citizen beneficiaries at 94,623, while PMO Mindoro posted the highest exemption value at ₱P.24 million.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said that the sustained implementation of the PTFE policy underscores the agency’s commitment to inclusive access to maritime transport.
“PPA remains committed to ensuring equitable access to maritime transport. By continuing to exempt these sectors from terminal fees, we recognize their contributions to society and reduce their travel expenses,” Santiago said.
Since 2019, the policy has consistently reduced travel expenses for millions of Filipinos, in line with the PPA’s mandate to serve the public and promote inclusive growth in the country’s maritime industry.
