mmalabanan
MANILA, Philippines- After a series of taxi-related crimes, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be penalising taxi operators whose drivers are found not showing new IDs inside the cabs starting January 15.
Issued in December 2014, the LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2014-20 aims to tighten rules on taxi operators.
“On or before January 15, 2015, all taxi operators in the Central Office and NCR are directed to issue a back-to-back Identification Cards (IDs) to all their authorized drivers… to be hanged in the rear view mirror of the taxi units,” the memorandum stated.
In addition, the LTFRB also required Manila taxi operators to submit a list of their authorised drivers that will be included in their centralised database.
On Sunday, January 11, LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said that those found not displaying IDs inside their vehicle will be fined P5,000.
LTFRB chief of staff to the chairman Atty. Mary Ann Salada emphasised that the penalty will be directed towards the operators of the taxi since they are responsible for issuing IDs to their drivers.
“Kasalanan nila kung pinapayagan nila na ang taxi nila ay i-drive ng isang taong hindi authorizado, meaning walang ID,” she stressed.
The increasing number of crimes involving taxi drivers has pushed the agency to create such policy. Salada explained that through IDs, the LTFRB will be able to easily track, identify, and monitor taxi drivers involved in crimes.
On Monday, January 12, authorities from the LTFRB went to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to distribute the final reminders about the new ID policy.
