By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Commuters and motorists traveling between Batangas and Oriental Mindoro will benefit from lower ferry fares after two major shipping companies reduced passenger and vehicle rates, following sustained declines in domestic fuel prices and appeals from the provincial government.
Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor announced that Starlite Ferries and Montenegro Shipping Lines began implementing fare reductions on June 22, while Fastcat has agreed in principle to introduce similar adjustments once its revised rate schedule is finalized.
The fare rollback came after the provincial government urged shipping operators to comply with the fare adjustment policies of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), which allow fuel surcharges to be reduced or removed when petroleum prices decline.
“We recognize the financial burden that higher shipping fares have placed on our residents. With fuel prices falling in recent weeks, we requested the operators to reduce fares in accordance with Marina regulations,” Dolor said.
Under the revised pricing, the standard passenger fare on the Batangas–Calapan route has been lowered from P760 to P680, providing immediate relief to thousands of daily travelers who depend on the sea corridor linking mainland Luzon and Oriental Mindoro.
Fastcat, one of the busiest operators on the route, is expected to announce its own fare rollback after completing technical discussions with provincial officials. The company currently offers both Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) and fast craft services, with passenger fares ranging from P624 to P768, depending on vessel type.
The shipping companies had imposed successive fare increases beginning in March after global oil prices surged due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. In April, Starlite Ferries implemented an additional temporary 15-percent fuel surcharge as operating costs continued to climb.
Despite the latest fare reduction, current rates remain above pre-crisis levels. Before the fuel price spike earlier this year, the regular passenger fare stood at P530, meaning commuters are still paying P150 more than they did before the increases.
Vehicle owners likewise continue to shoulder higher transport costs. The current rate for private vehicles is P3,840, compared with the previous P3,410, while wing van trucks are charged P8,640, up from the former P8,295.
The Batangas–Calapan route serves as the principal maritime gateway connecting Oriental Mindoro with Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon. Thousands of passengers, cargo trucks, buses, and private vehicles pass through the route daily, making it a vital artery for commerce, tourism, and the transport of essential goods throughout the province.
Provincial officials expressed hope that continued stability in global fuel prices will allow shipping companies to implement further fare reductions in the coming months, easing transportation costs for both commuters and businesses.
ia/xf
