CATICLAN, Aklan — Boat operators servicing the Caticlan–Boracay route will implement a P10 fare increase beginning April 16, following a surge in fuel prices linked to global oil market disruptions.
In a notice issued on March 30, the Caticlan-Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC), which oversees the majority of passenger boat operations to the island, announced that the rate adjustment will take effect on Thursday.
With the increase, regular passengers will now pay P60, while discounted fares are set at P50 for card holders and P45 for senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities.
The cooperative clarified that the adjustment is only temporary and will be lifted once fuel prices return to more stable levels, particularly those affected by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
CBTMPC said the move is necessary to cushion the impact of rising diesel costs on daily operations, including fuel consumption and maintenance of vessels.
The fare hike reflects a broader trend across the transport sector, where operators have been grappling with increasing expenses amid fluctuating oil prices.
Some tourism stakeholders are raising concerns over the potential effect on travel demand, noting that higher transport costs could discourage some visitors from traveling to Boracay. Early estimates suggest a possible decline in tourist arrivals if price increases persist, although this has yet to be confirmed by official data.
Boracay remains one of the country’s most visited destinations, with access largely dependent on boat transfers from Caticlan Jetty Port in Malay, Aklan.
Despite the adjustment, CBTMPC assured passengers that the measure is aimed at sustaining safe and reliable transport services during a period of continued fuel price volatility./PN
