Fastferries plying the Bacolod-Iloilo route are also feeling the pinch of higher oil prices with fuel eating up almost 50 percent of their revenues, as in the case of Weesam Express, its manager Frank Carbon said.

“Most shipping companies are viable, meaning they can only make money, if their fuel cost is between 38 to 40 percent (of operating cost). For us, it’s 50 percent. We’re really hard up,” he said.

Carbon said that since fuel is a cost-driver, an increase in oil price also means higher prices of lubricants and all other maintenance and operating costs.  

PDC backs
construction of Tagda port

The Negros Occidental Provincial Development Council yesterday endorsed the creation of a port in Barangay Tagda, Hinigaran, Gov. Isidro Zayco said.

The port is also intended for use as a docking area for roll on-roll off vessels, he said.

He said a request has been made to the Regional Development Council to convene its infrastructure committee to also endorse the port project.

Second public hearing for hike
in terminal fees set next month

A second public hearing on the proposed increase of terminal fees at the Iloilo and Bacolod-Silay airports has been set by the Air Transportation Office next month, a Philippine News Agency report said.

ATO Iloilo manager Allan Java said he hopes the hearing on the second week of April will be the last, and that, they can submit their recommendation to the Department of Transportation and Communication after it.

The initial public hearings were held Feb. 14 and 15 for Iloilo and Bacolod-Silay airports, respectively.

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