PUERTO PRINCESA - The city government of Puerto Princesa will collect a higher environmental fee from tourists starting this year.

Local and foreign tourists will now have to pay a P150 environmental fee. The previous rate was P40.

The increase was based on City Ordinance 794 or Revised Revenue Code of Puerto Princesa City of 2016, which was implemented January 3, 2017.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Natural Park implemented the increase February 1, while Honda Bay increased its fees February 7.

The environmental fee is collected from tourists who visit popular sites in the city like the Underground River and Honda Bay, and community-based sustainable tourism sites like Ugong Rock and firefly watching.

The fee is valid for six months and covers all tourist sites in the city.

Collected environmental fees are put into a general fund used for improvement of tourism infrastructure.