Duterte backs call vs colorum taxis

DAVAO City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is supporting the call of the new Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) director against green plate taxis that continue to roam the city streets.

LTFRB Director Benjamin Go earlier warned the riding public against green plate taxis, saying these are "colorum" taxi units that have no proper registration and documents, making the safety of the passengers at risk "because these taxis are not covered by insurance."

It was learned that the green plates for taxi were issued by Go's predecessor, Abdulgafar Mohammad, who is already assigned in Zamboanga City since December 2010. The issuance of green plates for taxi units is, however, deemed illegal as the issuance of franchise for taxis was stopped since 2003.

In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday, Vice Mayor Duterte said the new LTFRB director is only implementing the law and he finds nothing wrong with Go's strict enforcement.

"Director Go happens to be strict. He wants to enforce the law. And he has my support. Tama na. Kay kanang public utilities, kontrolado na sa gobyerno. You cannot operate according to your own rules," Duterte said.

Several taxi units were recently apprehended by authorities for operating without franchise.

Each taxi unit's application reportedly costs more than P10,000. But instead of being issued a yellow plate, green plates were issued by then former LTFRB director Mohammad. (Ben O. Tesiorna)