Coming back home to the Philippines after years of working abroad should feel like a happy occasion for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
The airport police of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) warned passengers against taxi scams at both the arrival and departure areas of the airport.
Previous reports show that returning migrant workers become the primary targets of overpriced cab rates and unsafe taxi rides.
In addition, many passengers, including OFWs, have been on the receiving end of rejection from taxi drivers who refuse to accept passengers because of their destinations.
The Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB)’s ‘Oplan Isnabero’, which aims to resolve cases of taxi drivers committing these violations is in effect every day since it was launched in December 2016, said LTFRB Chief Martin Delgra in a press briefing on Tuesday, August 22.
Delgra advised commuters to “assert their rights” against such cab drivers who refuse a trip or charge without using their meters.
ACTS OFW Party listRep. Aniceto Bertiz III, however, said that this band-aid solution is not enough against opportunistic taxi drivers.
“As a member of the House committee on transportation, I tell you that you are completely out of touch with the reality commuters face on the streets of Metro Manila every day. You are in a dream world,” The Manila Times quoted Bertiz on Monday as saying.
Drivers who refuse to convey a passenger to their destination and operating on a contract or flagged-up meter will be penalized P3,000 for their first offence as per LTFRB Memorandum Circular GT No. 2007-005.
Credit: The Manila Times, ltfb.gov.ph
Photo credit: Manila International Airport Authority
