Sibulan: Travelers using fast craft between Sibulan, Negros Oriental, and Liloan, Santander in Cebu have begun enjoying a PHP30 fare assistance from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

According to Philippines News Agency, Ronaldo Bandalaria, MARINA director for Central Visayas, stated in an interview that this aligns with the Lakbay Alalay ng Gobyerno initiative, which aims to reduce travel expenses for specific seafarers. "The government has disbursed PHP200 billion for this nationwide initiative that subsidizes a portion of the fare for passengers traveling on eligible shipping lines that fulfill the requirements," Bandalaria said.

This subsidy applies solely to passenger vessels with a travel duration of under two hours and that do not transport any freight, unlike the larger roll-on, roll-off vessels. In Negros Oriental, Cuadro Alas Navigation, Inc. is the only company that has met the criteria for the subsidized program, exclusively serving passengers traveling to and from Negros Oriental and Cebu.

The subsidy implementation in Negros Oriental began on May 25, with Cuadro Alas reducing its fare from PHP180 to PHP150 per individual. The government will subsidize the PHP30 difference, and the shipping company's payment is processed weekly. Bandalaria stated that MARINA's central office will release the subsidy payments directly to the shipping companies.

MARINA staff will report each day the count of passengers using the fast craft and will rely on the Philippine Coast Guard's manifest for their report. The funding distribution across the Philippines is anticipated to last two weeks and is intended to assist small shipping firms in managing elevated fuel costs.