Cleaning franchise mess could lead to cab shortage

DEPARTMENT of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Regional Director Celina Claver said canceling irregularly issued taxi franchises in Baguio may result in shortage in cabs.

Claver, in a press conference last Wednesday, told reporters that canceling some 1,500 irregularly issued franchises in the past years will have an effect on the local transport industry, particularly on the number of taxis plying city streets.

She said the agency has forwarded its query to the DOTC Central Office if they are to regularize these franchises but an advice has not yet arrived from authorities.

The City Council discussed the matter in previous sessions with the DOTC-Cordillera giving the directive for the council to endorse the list of irregularly issued franchises to their central office for regularization.

“On the question of canceling these franchises, we believe it is not humane, considering the current owners of these franchises are no longer the original owners but are probably the second to fourth owners,” she said.

Claver said canceling these franchises would also result in shortage of taxis, and this calls for the issuance of new franchises.

Meanwhile, Claver advised prospective buyers of taxi franchises to scrutinize the legality of the offered franchises with their office as many was victimized by enterprising individuals selling fake franchises, which cost P150,000 to P400,000, only to find out later that these franchises are non-existent in the agency’s database. (JM Agreda)