Erring taxi drivers in Northern Mindanao warned

TAXI operators and drivers are warned not to decline commuters and overcharge them this yuletide season.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Northern Mindanao regional director Mandangan Darimbang vows to penalize these taxi drivers who will refuse to ferry or ask additional charges from passengers.

"Pasko ngayon, expected maraming sasakay nang taxi. Warning natin sa mga drivers and operators may fines and penalty tayo sa mga lalabag sa batas (It’s Christmas and we expect there are many taxi commuters, but we are warning the drivers and operators that there are fines and penalty to those who will violate the law)," Darimbang said.

Darimbang said that following LTFRB rules and regulations the violators will be fined with P5 thousand pesos and the franchise maybe revoked.

Darimbang also reminds that the provisional P10 rollback of the P40-taxi flagdown rate is still in effect.

"Maaari magsumbong ang pasahero sa ating office o tumawag sa numerong nakapaskil sa mga taxi na 'May reklamo ka itawag sa LTFRB' para ma-aksyonan (The passengers may complain at our office or call the LTFRB numbers posted on taxis)," Darimbang said.

Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro First Taxi Drivers Alliance president Bernard Jamaca said they do not tolerate the violations committed by some erring taxi drivers.

Jamaca said there have been reports of drivers overcharging their passengers, adding that other drivers refuse a ride to some passengers.

"Wala nato gi-tolerate kanang ginahimo sa uban nga gapangontrata ug gabalibad og pasahero (We don’t tolerate those who take passengers without using the meter or those who refuse passengers)," Jamaca said.

Jamaca has vowed to act on every complaint brought to his attention.

Jamaca disclosed his mobile number (09276319852) for the public to contact in case taxi drivers commit violations.