ILOILO City – Taxi operators in the city have agreed to discontinue the unauthorized practice of arbitrarily setting and imposing “fixed rates” on passengers for out-of-town trips.
Instead, they will heed the call of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Region 6 (LTFRB-6) to formally file a petition for fixed fare rates for such travels.
According to lawyer Jun Altura, LTFRB-6 legal officer, this resolution was reached during a recent meeting between taxi operators and LTFRB-6 regional director Richard Osmeña.
The discussion followed complaints of overcharging by some taxi drivers.
Taxi operators have committed to ceasing the practice and agreed to petition LTFRB to itself determine and legalize fixed fares for out-of-town trips.
Altura noted that operators can submit their petitions either to the LTFRB regional office or its central office, as they see fit.
This developed in light of a recent controversy involving a taxi driver accused of overcharging a passenger P600 for a trip from Mandurriao district here to the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo. The driver allegedly bypassed the required use of the taxi meter, violating LTFRB regulations.
Altura emphasized that taxi fares must follow metered rates, including the official flag-down charge.
“Not using the meter is a clear violation of the franchise’s terms and conditions,” he said. The operator involved has been summoned for a hearing to address the incident.
The issue came to public attention after a Facebook post by a local tourist and vlogger, “Mamita LakwatseraIsa”, who expressed frustration over her experience.
The post gained traction online, with many calling for stricter enforcement of taxi regulations.
Mayor Jerry Treñas also voiced his concern, highlighting the negative impact of such incidents on Iloilo City’s reputation as a tourist-friendly destination.
Local authorities, including LTFRB-6 and the Iloilo City government, have committed to addressing the issue promptly, reinforcing transportation regulations, and ensuring a positive experience for both residents and visitors./PN