THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is pushing to be deputized by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to apprehend erring drivers.
LTFRB XI Legal officer Atty. Ernest Benz Davila said they can only impose penalties on operators, not the drivers.
“If ma deputize na mi, ang among personnel pwede na makadakop og traffic-related violations,” Davila said during the iSpeak conference on Thursday, April 25.
He added that LTFRB is constantly collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to increase visibility on roads following the recent issues of discourteous taxi drivers in the city.
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa took to social media on April 24 calling the attention of a Siycha Transport Corp (STC) taxi driver who reportedly went through several routes before arriving at the destination, the passenger told the driver.
Davila said the office already received several complaints regarding discourteous and arrogant drivers. They were able to issue 28 show-cause orders since the start of 2024.
The order was based on the filed complaints on their Facebook page, Davao City reports FB, and formal complaints made in their office.
Apart from that, they have also received 22 complaints about overcharging and one for refusal of passengers.
LTFRB has issued inspection report summons to four utility vehicles that failed to bring franchise, 30 for breach of franchise conditions, cutting trips (7), and overloading (1).
“Our limit is to fine and impose penalties on franchise-related violations so kung unsa ang nakabutang sa Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, mao ra among i-follow,” Davila said.
The official advised the public to file their complaints about erring drivers for appropriate enforcement agencies to take legal action. Concerned agencies are set to meet with the taxi operators in the city to remind them of laws and regulations amid issues of the taxi drivers.
