THERE has been a significant rise in number of complaints of erring taxi drivers last year, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board reported Saturday.
The release of the LTFRB data led Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to urged the government to implement an “iron fist” policy against abusive taxi drivers due to the rising incidents of drivers bullying their passengers.
Marcos also has challenged the LTRFB and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to take the “bull by the horns in solving the problem about rascal taxi drivers.”
Marcos, who is running for vice president, expressed alarm over the growing incidents of taxi drivers bullying or even harassing and threatening their passengers if their demands are rejected.
He said the government should use an “iron fist” and implement tougher but lawful measures to stop bully taxi drivers from “terrorizing” their passengers.
“Instant and severe but legal measures might stop arrogant taxi drivers from verbally abusing their passengers or, worse, physically harming them. Of course, they know that they could be charged in court, but it seems these drivers are not scared about it,” Marcos said.
He also called on the taxi-riding passengers to be vigilant and emulate the brave victims who have reported to authorities and filed charges against abusive taxi drivers.
“It will be better if the public would coordinate with the authorities. That’s why the people should assist the authorities even by just reporting that something wrong has happened, is happening, or is about to happen,” he said.
According to the LTFRB, complaints against abusive drivers increased by 43.03 percent in 2015 to 6,944 cases compared to the 4,855 recorded in 2014.
In 2014, majority of these complaints dealt with drivers who refused to convey passengers (1,012 cases) followed by drivers who have showed rude behavior (946 cases) and drivers who have overcharged passengers (790 cases).
Meanwhile in 2015, there were more drivers who exhibited rude behavior (1,082 cases) followed by complaints of drivers who overcharged (892 cases) and finally drivers who refused to convey passengers (860 cases).
LTFRB board member Atty. Ariel Inton said the rise in the number of complaints against erring taxi drivers must have been a result of the use of social media as a venue to relay their complaints.
“The use of social media helped a lot because communicating has become so much easier. We can monitor and act swiftly on it sometimes even before an actual complaint is reported,” Inton told the Philippines News Agency.
“We get in touch with the complainant and encourage them to actively prosecute. We want to be proactive,” he added.
Inton also pointed out that the LTFRB hotline number launched last year has also made it easier for complaints to be better accommodated.
“Previously, people would complain about how it takes time before complaints are addressed and how they lose interest in pursuing the complaint. Now, we really want to be on top of this. We don’t want to waste time,” Inton said.
He further noted that while LTFRB only had jurisdiction on a public utility vehicle (PUV) franchise, it was fortunate for former LTFRB executive director Robert Cabrera was named Land Transportation Office chief after the resignation of Alfonso Tan Jr.
LTO, meanwhile, is responsible for the suspension of driver’s licenses.
Inton has earlier expressed interest to pursue a review in the transport system’s current orders and memorandum circulars.
He pointed out that such reviews involve the selection and supervision of the drivers by the operators since the burden of the driver’s actions are always rippled down to the operators who were granted the franchises.
Stiffer penalties are also being looked into, he said.
The LTFRB official said that a review of the so-called “boundary system” should also be done immediately.
He said that it all boils down to the fact that the driver wants to earn more especially in heavy traffic situations. With PNA
