The new resolution passed by the Cebu Provincial Board urging Marina 7 to review and investigate the fuel surcharge imposed on ships plying routes between mainland Cebu and Camotes Islands is a welcome development. For us residents of Camotes, especially in the town of Poro, and other municipalities like San Francisco, Tudela, and Pilar, this issue is not just about fare prices but about justice, accountability, and the long-standing burden carried by the island community.
Temporary Surcharge Becomes Permanent
When gasoline and diesel prices surged earlier this year, shipping companies were allowed to impose a temporary fuel surcharge. At that time, the public understood the need for operators to earn additional income to sustain their operations amid high crude oil costs. Despite the extra fee, passengers accepted it because it was said to be temporary.
However, months later, even with a clear global decline in gasoline and diesel prices, the fuel surcharge collection continues. For Camotes residents, the impact is enormous. Unlike people on the mainland who have multiple transport options, those of us living on the islands rely solely on ships to reach Cebu.
High Cost of Island Living
Every trip for medicine, schooling, government transactions, or marketing requires paying the fare. Likewise, every sack of rice, construction material, and product brought into the island is affected by high transport costs. The truth is that passengers are forced to pay because there is almost no other choice. At the ports of Poro, San Francisco, Liloan, and Danao City, competition is very limited. Unlike other routes where travelers can choose a cheaper operator, Camotes residents often have no alternative but the existing service. This leaves consumers vulnerable and easily affected by charges that may persist even without clear reason.
Need for Transparency
That is why transparency is crucial: shipping companies must disclose the real basis for their charges, and regulators must ensure that fares reflect actual operating costs. This is not just a problem for passengers. High transport costs also affect tourism, weaken business and investment, and drive up prices of basic commodities on the island. Ultimately, average and low-income families are the hardest hit.
Commendable Action
The Cebu Provincial Board and the San Francisco Municipal Council deserve commendation for taking up this issue. They have shown genuine concern for many Camotes residents who have long sought a fairer and more transparent transport system. Now, Marina 7 has an opportunity to demonstrate that regulation is not only for protecting business but also for the welfare of the people. If crude oil prices have dropped, the public deserves a clear explanation or, better yet, a fair reduction in fares.
For the people of Camotes, reasonable transport costs are not a privilege but a necessity. Hopefully, it will be clarified whether the additional fuel surcharge collected was indeed temporary.
