Volunteer Taxi Drivers Support Airport Colorum Crackdown
In a proactive move to tackle the ongoing issue of colorum taxis and overcharging at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) and other airports nationwide, the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP Avsegroup) has enlisted the help of volunteer taxi drivers. These volunteers play a crucial role in identifying and reporting errant taxi operators, strengthening enforcement efforts against illegal practices.
Acting director Brigadier General Jason Capoy shared in a recent interview that many of these volunteer drivers are friends or relatives of police personnel. “We have volunteers who are other taxi drivers, friends, relatives of the PNP troops. They are the ones who brought the news. They are the ones who report it to us. That’s why we just provide information with LTO (Land Transportation Office) and we just help them in enforcing the traffic rules,” he explained. He emphasized that not all taxi drivers engage in overcharging, but those who do are being taught a firm lesson.
How Volunteer Taxi Drivers Report Violations
The volunteer taxi drivers actively communicate with the PNP Avsegroup’s intelligence team on the ground. They report incidents of colorum vehicles and fare overcharging through calls or text messages. Upon receiving such reports, the security group promptly conducts validation and verification before taking action.
“This is more on, this is a different approach. It is an intelligence-driven operation. It is not just the ones that were planted down; it is not. We have prior monitoring,” Brigadier General Capoy highlighted. This method allows the police to be more efficient and targeted in their operations against illegal taxi activities.
Impact of Volunteer Reports on Enforcement Efforts
Between June 25 and July 1, the PNP Avsegroup apprehended 46 public utility vehicles at various Philippine airports, including 28 taxis, seven UV Express vans, and 11 motorcycle taxis known locally as “habal-habal.” Importantly, about 20 to 30 percent of these apprehensions resulted from reports made by volunteer taxi drivers, showcasing their significant contribution to the crackdown.
These collaborative efforts underline the importance of community involvement in upholding the law and protecting commuters from abusive practices. With continuous monitoring and intelligence gathering, authorities aim to maintain safer and fairer transportation services at airports nationwide.
For more news and updates on airport taxi enforcement, visit Filipinokami.com.