Lowering of terminal fees for PUVs in Lapu-Lapu eyed

Local

THE highly urbanized city of Lapu-Lapu is preparing to lower public utility vehicle terminal fees to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices on drivers and commuters ahead of Holy Week.

The move comes following a similar measure by the Cebu Provincial Government, which earlier reduced terminal fees at its major transport hubs to help operators cope with increasing fuel costs.

Mayor Cindi King Chan is pushing to reduce terminal fees for public utility vehicles to ease the burden on drivers amid rising fuel prices.

According to the city’s public information office on Thursday, March 26, the mayor plans to temporarily cut transport-related fees as fuel prices and operational costs continue to rise, placing pressure on both drivers and commuters.

The proposal is scheduled for implementation next week and will be taken up in the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s regular session ahead of Holy Week.

The timing of the measure comes as transport demand is expected to increase, with local officials looking to stabilize fares and prevent additional costs from being passed on to passengers.

Under the plan, terminal fees will be reduced as follows: v-hires from P25 to P15, jeepneys from P20 to P10, and multicabs from P10 to P5.

The adjustments aim to immediately lower operating expenses for public utility vehicle operators serving routes within and around the city.

The mayor said the proposed fee reduction is intended to provide immediate relief to drivers while helping stabilize transport costs.

The measure is expected to benefit hundreds of PUV operators and support more affordable public transportation services in the city.

City officials are also positioning the move as part of broader preparations for the anticipated Holy Week travel rush, when demand for transport services typically rises.

By lowering terminal charges, the city aims to ease financial pressure on operators while helping ensure continued availability of rides for commuters.

Energy-saving measures

Earlier this month, the city government began implementing additional cost-saving measures across all departments in response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

In a memorandum issued March 12, Chan directed all offices to strictly manage resources, particularly fuel, electricity, and other operational expenses.

The city immediately reduced fuel allocation for all offices by 50 percent, except for essential services such as ambulances, garbage trucks, traffic management vehicles, and other emergency units.

Offices were also encouraged to adopt carpooling, limit travel outside Lapu-Lapu City, and submit written justification for additional fuel requests subject to review by the General Services Office.

The Office of the City Administrator also enforced a no-idling policy, prohibiting drivers from keeping engines running while waiting for officials and employees during meetings or inspections.

The province's move

Earlier, the Cebu Provincial Government implemented a three-month reduction in terminal fees at the North and South Bus Terminals to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs and ease the financial burden on transport operators.

Under the revised rates, buses now pay P200 instead of P250, V-hires are charged P150 from P200, and taxis P10 from P20.(Kaiser Jan Fuentes)