The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Tagbilaran City has its hands tied as the agency is still unable to exempt senior citizens and children from paying terminal fees amid requests for the privilege, a PPA official said.

James Gantalao, manager of the city PPA, said that ports under the government office is still following the agency’s nationwide policy which does not include the said exemption.

But the official said that the local PPA office in Tagbilaran City is ready to offer the privilege to senior citizens and children.

The city PPA has been receiving a number of request from the public regarding the exemption and the office acknowledged their validity prompting them to relay the concern.

According to Gantalao, both the city and provincial governments have relayed the issue to the PPA head office requesting the agency to grant the terminal fee exemption.

The local PPA is still awaiting response from the agency’s head office.

Currently, senior citizens are given a 20% discount on their terminal fees for using the passenger terminal of the city port. (with reports from Allen Doydora)