Taxi drivers face checkpoints, background checks

INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines–Following a spate of taxi-related crimes, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) directed taxi operators in Metro Manila to submit a list of their authorized drivers so that it could come up with a centralized database.

The LTFRB issued on Monday Memorandum Circular No. 2014-20 directing operators to submit the information to its Information and System Management Division and update it on the 15th and 30th of each month.

At the same time, taxi drivers were required to secure a certificate from the LTFRB to verify their employment history and determine if there were pending complaints against them. Taxi operators face cancellation or suspension of their franchise should any of their drivers fail to get the certificate.

LTFRB chair Winston Ginez gave taxi operators until Jan. 15 to fully comply with the memorandum circular.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police has announced that they will stop and inspect taxis at checkpoints, similar to what they do to motorcycles. The new policy follows a spate of crimes where taxi drivers have allegedly victimized their passengers.

The police will ask the taxis’ passengers if they are being treated well by the drivers, and will also inspect the trunk and other compartments. Dead bodies, weapons, and hidden cohorts will presumably be found.