ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Leaders of various sector groups in this city have flocked to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Region 6 on Monday (May 28) to file their opposition against the petition of the Association of Taxi Operators of Panay, Inc. (ATOP) to double the taxi fare in out-of-town routes.
Those who signed the opposition paper were Mary Grace Lobaton of Panay Consumer Alliance, Lucia Capadosio of Pamanggas, Reylan Vergara of Karapatan, Ma. Geobelyn Lopez-Beraye of Madia-as, Wenefredo Doblizo of Kilusang Mayo Uno, Inecita Ruedas of Gabriela and Rolando Asis of Alliance of Concerned Teachers.
In their opposition paper, they assailed the ATOP petition as only a smokescreen of taxi operators so that they can increase the daily boundary or rental of their units to the detriment of the drivers and the riding public.
Further, they stated that increasing the fare of taxi drivers will decrease the number of passengers that patronizes cabs.
They explained that the passengers will most likely opt to ride passenger jeepneys instead of riding taxicabs and this will result to fewer numbers of passengers and naturally less income for cabbies.
Increasing or doubling the fare of taxicabs is anti-consumer, anti-commuter and anti-taxi drivers, they said, adding that such would only serve the interests of taxi operators.
LTFRB-6 regional director Romulo Bernardes, for his part, said his office welcomed the opposition paper of the sector groups and this will be discussed to decide eventually what is best for the public. (FREEMAN)