Ninoy Aquino International Airport INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The House of Representatives is urged to investigate the alleged overcharging by yellow taxis at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
Mindanao representatives and brothers Rufus Rodriguez and Maximo Rodriguez Jr. filed House Resolution 1028 seeking to invite officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and other agencies in a public hearing about the issue.
They said yellow taxi drivers dupe passengers by charging fixed rates without using their meters.
They added that these abuses by taxis have put a dent on the country’s reputation as a tourist destination.
“There is a need to address this situation as these unscrupulous taxi drivers that operate in international airports can give the country a bad name as soon as visitors step into Philippines,” Rodriguez said.
According to Rodriguez, ordinary taxis charge a flag down rate of P40 and P3.50 for every 300 meters, while metered airport taxis charge a P70-flag down rate and P4 for every 300 meters.
The lawmakers said passengers were forced to take these taxis due to a verbal policy at NAIA preventing them from hailing standard metered cabs at the departure area.
Passengers are even blocked by airport personnel from hailing the taxis, they added.
The legislators cited a report by a passenger who was charged with P620 from the airport to the Mall of Asia (MOA) after being shown a laminated piece of paper listing the rates.
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