Senator Sonny Angara has urged airport authorities to look into the alleged overcharging by taxicabs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, a malpractice that can drive away tourists and tarnish the country’s image.
Angara noted that there are a lot of dreadful stories circulating online about airport taxis notoriously overcharging and duping passengers whether they are local tourists, overseas Filipino workers or foreigners visiting our country.
“Our transportation and airport authorities should look into this matter seriously and resolve this right away or else, Philippine tourism will suffer,” said Angara, vice chairman of the Senate tourism committee.
Regular taxis charge a flagdown rate of P40 and P3.50 for every 300 meters while airport taxis charge a P70-flagdown rate and P4 for every 300 meters.
In April last year, Angara said the Manila International Airport Authority allowed unaccredited metered taxis to pick up passengers at the arrival areas of Naia Terminals 2 and 3 but only during peak hours to meet the demand from airline companies and travellers.
The MIAA had long barred empty white cabs from entering the Naia complex, and only allowed them to pick up passengers if they had also brought passengers when they arrived there.
The MIAA said such restriction was in response to security concerns and complaints over regular taxis that overcharge, extort or are being used for robbery, and because only the over 1,600 airport-accredited taxis and vehicles for rent are accountable to the MIAA.
“The accreditation system was precisely to protect the passengers from the abuse of unscrupulous drivers. I think it is high time for the authorities to probe into the rates imposed by these accredited taxis and rental cars, and ensure that they charge reasonable fares to protect the welfare of the passengers,” said the lawmaker.
Angara said that tourists would not come to the Philippines regardless of its beautiful spots if they would be victimized by abusive taxi drivers.
