The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Monday, Dec. 18, said it would run after colorum public utility vehicles and public taxi drivers, who are refusing to service passengers in Metro Manila.
LTO chief Vigor Mendoza cited passengers’ complaints regarding taxi drivers snubbing passengers during the holiday season.
“Marami sa mga taxi drivers ang nangongontrata at talagang hindi nagpapasakay kung hindi papayag sa gusto nilang presyuhan. Mahigpit pong ipinagbabawal ito dahil violation ito ng kanilang prangkisa,” Mendoza said.
“Dahil sa dami ng pasahero tuwing panahon ng Pasko, ito rin ang panahon kung saan nagsusulputan ang napakaraming colorum na public utility vehicles at ito rin ang inutos ko na dapat tutukan,” he added.
The LTO chief ordered additional personnel to be deployed after office hours, particularly around malls in Metro Manila and other places of convergence.
“We will also coordinate with the Philippine National Police through its Highway Patrol Group, as well as mall security managers in order to augment our enforcers in this operation,” Mendoza said.
He also urged the public to report if they became victims of snubbing scenarios from taxi drivers.
“Pagtulungan po nating wakasan ang ganitong maling sistema dahil hindi matatapos ang mga ganitong gawain kung hahayaan lang natin ang mga ito na mambiktima ng mga kawawang pasahero,” the LTO chief said.
“Makakaasa po ang ting (sic) mga kababayan na kasangga ninyo ang inyong LTO para wakasan ang ganitong gawain dahil kasama ito sa mensahe ng ating Pangulo Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. sa ilalim ng Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.
Under Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)’s Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, a PUV driver refusing to provide service or convey passengers to their destination will be fined P5,000 for the first offense and P10,000 for the second offense with impounding of the unit for at least a month.
For the third and subsequent offenses, the violator's Certificate of Public Convenience will be canceled and he will be required to pay P15,000 penalty.
