MIAA says ‘white taxis’ may be permanently banned at Naia

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1. INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — White taxi cabs or those operating under franchises may soon be banned from taking passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) after recent reports of overcharging and abuse.

In an interview on Thursday, Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) General Manager Ed Monreal said that white taxis had not been allowed at Naia Terminal 1 since this Monday — and if accredited airport taxis could fully service passengers, this might be adopted at other terminals.

“Actually sa dami na nagkakaroon ng problema ‘yong mga nag-oovercharge, nagkakaroon na kami ng trial ngayon.  Sa Terminal 1, for two weeks, hindi na namin pinapapasok ang mga white taxi dahil nag-commit ‘yong mga concessionaire natin na kaya nilang supplyan,” Monreal told dzMM.

“So, ginagawan namin ng two weeks trial.  Kapag ‘yan ay tumuloy-tuloy, susunod ko ‘yong Terminal 2 and 4. Medyo meron lang akong pag-aatubili sa Terminal 3. Sa laki ng volume ng umaalis at dumarating baka hindi kayanin ng transportation concessionaires,” he added.

Monreal’s statements came after an Austrian vlogger uploaded on Facebook his and his companion’s bad experience with a local taxi driver who asked for extra charge because of their “heavy luggage.”

When the foreign nationals relented, the taxi driver stopped in the middle of the road and asked them to get out of the cab.  He proceeded to drive again after his passengers pleaded to take them to the destination, although he used different routes supposedly to prolong the trip and increase the fare.

https://www.facebook.com/makingithappenvlog/videos/291742145071005/

According to Monreal, they accosted the driver, identified as Jhumil Bule, through the help of Miaa’s Intelligence and Investigation Department and the police in Taytay, Rizal.

In a statement on Wednesday, Miaa said that charges would be filed against Bule before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office, while the entire fleet of Davis taxis — Bule’s operator — had been banned from the Naia.

“Actually ‘yang video na ‘yan talagang nakaka-bwisit.  Binigyan ko ng order ang aking intelligence group sa paliparan na i-operate ‘yong tao at ‘yong taxi,” Monreal said.

“Pinakiusap ko na sa LTO na kung pwede kansela na muna ‘yong kanyang lisensya. Hopefully mapagbigyan,” he added.

Monreal said that Bule’s reason for overcharging the foreigners was to earn money for his ailing mother.

“The usual, may pangangailangan, may sakit daw ‘yong nanay.  Sabi ko nga sa kanya mula ngayon wala ka nang aasahan sa nanay mo sa ginawa mong kalokohan,” he noted. /cbb