The government is not only cracking down on abusive taxi drivers and airport transport scams, but also working closely with the new operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to establish a more transparent, efficient, and accountable system.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon on Thursday vowed to step up the agency’s campaign to remove dishonest taxi drivers and their cohorts who prey on both Filipino and foreign travelers at the NAIA.
In a Palace press briefing via video call, the DOTr secretary said the crackdown against corrupt taxi drivers at NAIA is in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to put a stop to the abusive practices.
“Importante dito na maintindihan ng mga kababayan natin na napakaklaro po ng direksiyon ng ating Pangulo – na itong napakatagal nang pang-aabuso ng mga taxi sa airport, hindi lamang sa mga kababayan natin, kung hindi pati sa mga turista na nagbibigay ng napakalaking kahihiyan sa ating bansa ay kailangan mahinto na,” Dizon said.
“Hindi lamang tayo nagka-crackdown kung hindi nakikipag-ugnayan na po tayo sa bagong operator ng NAIA para gumawa ng mas maayos, mas transparent, at mas magandang sistema diyan sa NAIA para maiwasan na itong matagal nang ginagawa against our people,” Dizon also said.
Since the start of the NAIA crackdown on June 21, a total of 11 taxi drivers have been apprehended for overcharging and using expired or fake taxi franchises, Dizon said.
The driver’s licenses of the 11 offenders were invalidated while their taxi operators were suspended, Dizon said.
At the same time, the DOTr is investigating reports of alleged collusion between corrupt taxi drivers and airport police personnel.
Dizon said so far, five personnel have been relieved from their posts as a thorough investigation remains ongoing.
The DOTr chief announced that Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar, administrator of the Office for Transportation Security, is leading the investigation.
Bisnar will collaborate with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eric Ines in conducting the inquiry. | PND
