LTFRB orders registered taxi operators in NCR to submit list of authorized drivers

A Toyota Vios airport taxi / Wikipedia Photo

MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued a Memorandum Circular (MC) ordering all taxi operators registered in the National Capital Region to submit a list of their authorized drivers in line with the Board’s drive to instill discipline, responsibility and accountability among taxi drivers to protect the riding public.

The drive was launched by the Board today with the support of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Action Center, PNP-HPG and DILG Emergency No. 117.

A Joint Statement Support was also signed by the Board with the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association (PNTOA), Association of Taxi Operators of Metro Manila (ATOMM), Airport Transport Concessionaires Association, Inc. (ATCAI) and National Center for Commuter Safety Protection (NCCSP).

Under Section 5(k) of Executive Order No.

202, the Board is empowered ‘to formulate, promulgate, administer, implement and enforce rules and regulations on land transportation public utilities… as may promote safety, protection, comfort and convenience to persons and property in their charges as well as the safety of persons and property within their areas of operations.’

“Dahil sa sunud-sunod na mga insidente na sangkot ang ilang mga taxi drivers sa pagsasagawa ng krimen katulad ng holdap, rape at iba pagsasamantala sa mga mananakay, kailangan nating magpatupad ng ordinansa upang masawata ang ganitong mga masamang tangka sa publiko,” LTFRB chairman Atty. Winston Ginez said.

During the last couple of weeks, a sharp increase in the number of complaints against discourteous, arrogant, dishonest and irresponsible drivers was noted. Several passengers were also victimized by erring drivers with accomplice to commit serious crimes that injured passengers and lost their valuables.

“As part of our mandate in ensuring the safety of the people, we need to act to protect the riding public from these criminals disguising as legitimate taxi drivers,” Ginez said.

Under the order, all taxi operators in Metro Manila must submit soft and hard copies list of their authorized drivers to the Information and System Management Division (ISMD) of the Board on or before January 15, 2015, together with an affidavit attesting that the list is complete and names of the drivers are all legitimate.

To keep the list updated a regular basis, the operators are required to submit to ISMD the name/s and other details of their drivers who are no longer authorized to drive their units as well as new authorized drivers every 15th and 30th of the month.

Issuance of taxi driver’s IDs

The Board also ordered taxi operators to issue identification cards to their authorized drivers with contents and design to be prescribed by the Board. Drivers shall not be allowed to drive their units without the IDs issued by their operators.

The drivers must conspicuously hang the IDs in the rear view mirror of the taxi units or face penalty for refusing to display it on their units.

Once the MC takes effect, taxi drivers must also secure a certificate from the Board to verify their employment history and check if there are any pending complaints filed against them. Taxi operators face cancellation, suspension or revocation of their franchise if their driver fails to secure the LTFRB certificate.Taxi operators found not complying with any of the provisions of the MC’s will be meted a penalty of five thousand pesos (P 5,000.

00) per violation. Resolving passenger complaints

LTFRB is also intensifying speedy resolution of passenger complaints against erring taxi drivers. The Board’s Public Assistance and Complaint Desk (PACD) will immediately call to a conference the driver, operator and the complainant once they received a complaint. If the complainant is not able to attend the conference, a Show Cause Letter shall be sent to the operator to explain his side regarding the said complaint.

In case an amicable settlement or agreement is not reached, the Board will require the complainant to submit a written statement with the details of his complaint and will be sworn before the hearing officer on the hearing date provided for by the PACD.

If proven at fault, taxi operator will be penalized as stipulated in the Joint Administrative Order No.2014-001. If the driver is at fault, LTFRB will make the proper notation in its records and refer its findings and recommendation to the Land Transportation Office for investigation and imposition of appropriate fine or penalty.