Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to impose penalties on taxi and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers who cancel passenger bookings.
The initiative aims to reinforce driver responsibility and accountability, given that their work serves the “public interest.”
“Ang parati ko pong sinasabi, pag pumasok ka sa ganitong klaseng trabaho, this is imbued with public interest. Ibig sabihin, hindi lang mas mataas na antas ang hinihingi namin sa inyo pagdating sa pag-iingat, ’yung sinasabi nating extra-ordinary diligence. Pero, humihingi rin kami ng mas mataas na antas ng obligasyon at responsibilidad,” Lopez emphasized.
Ahead of the expected holiday rush, the LTFRB will issue a Memorandum Circular prohibiting taxi and TNVS drivers from canceling booked trips.
“Ito po ’yung sinasabi natin this holiday season, ’yung mga isnabero… May mga nagca-cancel e, ipagbabawal na natin [ang pag-cancel ng booked trips],” Lopez warned.
He also criticized traffic as a common excuse, stressing that canceling trips defeats the purpose of public utility vehicles.
“Kasi ang karamihan ng mga drivers o TNC operator, ang sinasabi nilang rason is traffic. Kung ganoon din lang sana huwag na lang sila lumabas… Mahirap naman po kasi, tumanggap sila ng booking at pagkatapos ika-cancel lang din nila. Kawawa yung mga mananakay,” he added.
Lopez further instructed LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II to review the legal basis for fare increases, weighing whether they should be deferred during the holiday season. A public consultation with TNVS companies is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10.
“We can always cancel it [surge pricing], but again baka ang magsuffer diyan ay ang ating mga mananakay, so kailangan pong araling mabuti at iba pa rin ’yung nakikipag-dayalogo tayo ng mabuti sa TNVS,” he said.
The DOTr also plans to ease the mandate requiring TNVS operators to submit lists of drivers who frequently cancel trips, while establishing a passenger hotline for reporting abusive drivers.