A traveler raised awareness about a “regulatory fee” they encountered at Catarman Airport in Northern Samar, saying it was the first time they had experienced such a charge.
A Filipino on Thursday, August 6, shared that they were asked to pay a P10 “regulatory fee” at the airport, questioning whether it was “legal.”
The traveler said they had “been traveling all over the Philippines for years” and it was the “first time” they had encountered such a fee.
“No official receipt was issued. Passengers are also required to present a physical boarding pass because a small slip will be attached to it,” the Filipino said in the Reddit community “r/Philippines.”
“Ang sungit pa nung officer and security guard na naka-station sa booth, hahahha. Legal ba ‘to? Haha,” the Redditor added.
The traveler also accompanied their post with a photo of the incident. It showed a table with a paper taped on top of it that read:
PROWATS (Provincial Water and Air Transportation Safety)
P10
REGULATORY FEE
Regulatory fee of P10.00 is being collected for every passenger at Catarman Airport
by
u/Radiant_Air6893 in
Philippines
The post caught the attention of several Redditors, who also questioned the fee and its purpose.
“Straight to 8888! Usually if legal, may ordinance number etc,” one commented, referring to similar advisories.
8888 refers to the hotline that Filipinos can call to report about poor government services and alleged corrupt practices in government agencies.
“Ask for receipt — this can be used as evidence for future complaints and to verify the legality of this transaction,” another Redditor wrote.
“Ano na namang pakana ‘yan??” a Reddit user asked.
“Kanya-kanyang nakaw…” another Pinoy commented.
“It is unusual since dapat covered na ‘yan ng terminal fee,” a different Reddit user wrote.
A terminal fee is a charged imposed on each departing airline passenger for using airport facilities.
The proceeds are intended to fund airport facility management and major airport improvements.
“Provincial Water and Air Transportation Safety… sounds sus [suspicious] kung wala resibo, e may terminal fee na, ‘di ba? Baka meron din sa pier nito kung covered din water transportation,” another Redditor said.
“LOL, anong nire-regulate nito? lol,” a different user asked.
“Ask for a receipt. If legit, they should have no issues with giving a receipt,” another Redditor said.
There are no official reports of airports imposing “regulatory fees.”
Meanwhile, Catarman Airport serves the general area of Catarman in Northern Samar and handles domestic flights.
It is classified as a Class 2 principal (minor domestic) airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
