| | 
MUCH
NEEDED. This X-ray machine and detector installed at the Starlight Port Terminal
building is much needed to secure commuters taking the vessels from here. This
cost P7 million, thus the terminal fee is proposed to be hiked to P22, from the
existing P11. | | The
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will increase the prevailing passenger terminal
fee at the city port by 100 percent, from P11 to P22.
The
increase was proposed amid clamor for tight security for passengers taking vessels
at the Tagbilaran wharf considering that Bohol is a prime tourist destination,
thus, volume of passengers come and go, both foreign and local.
In a public
consultation conducted by the Port Management Advisory Council (PMAC) last Thursday
at the MetroCentre Hotel, Raul |
Oblenda,
Tagbilaran City port manager and PMAC chair, proposed the increase due to the
newly installed X-Ray machine and Walk-through Detector inside the Starlight Terminal
building.Starlight,
a private passenger terminal operator, is currently collecting P11 as terminal
fee.
| | | The
X-Ray machine for luggage and Walk-through Detector for passengers cost P7 million.
Oblenda
told the Chronicle that the proposed increase, probably from P20 to P22 depending
on what would be approved by PPA-Manila, will accrue to the PPA for the X-Ray
machine's operating costs, maintenance and return on asset (ROA).
The
X-Ray machine and Detector, which will soon be operational, is installed not only
at the local wharf but in 30 other ports nationwide as part of upgrading security
measures. |
Oblenda
emphasized the importance of thwarting terrorist threats especially in Bohol where
tourists comprise 60-70% of the overall inbound and outbound passengers. He recalled
the 2004 trrorist-bombing of Superferry 14 that claimed 134 lives and sunk the
ship in the waters off Mariveles, Bataan.
The
terminal fee hike is just a minimal price to pay for the security of passengers
and the economic gains of the province's booming tourism industry, Oblenda explained.
SUPPORTING
COMPUTATIONS
The
X-Ray machine and Walk-through Detector's ROA is pegged at P700,000 (10% of cost,
P7 million). At an estimated serviceable life of 10 years, depreciation costs
of P700,000 will be charged per year.
Oblenda
bared that operating costs of the machine take the lion's share of the terminal
fee increase at P3.8-million annually. This includes salaries of the operating
crew, power consumption and a 10% on-cost maintenance.
The
X-Ray and Detector will be operated by six personnel (security guards/operators)
on three eight-hour shifts.
Installation
of the equipment comes with an additional air-conditioning unit, Oblenda said.
The
increase is already computed with 12% value-added tax.
NATIONWIDE
IMPOSITION
However,
Oblenda stressed that the PPA is collecting terminal fee increases with the augmentation
of port operations and maintenance cost of X-Ray machines and Walk-through Detectors.
The
PPA, according to the port manager, is deploying the machines in ports with high
security risks. |
