ICVB to stop 'P80 gratuity' imposition--Clavel
Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB) reportedly agreed to stop distributing flyers to a certain taxi group imposing P80 gratuity fee in addition to the metered taxi fare in going to the new Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan.
The decision came following yesterday's meeting with Mayor Jerry Treñas, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Regional Director Porfirio Clavel, Department of Tourism Regional Director Edwin Trompeta, ICVB President Emil Diez and ICVB Secretary Mannie Gruenberg.
In an interview, Clavel said he asked the ICVB to stop the production of the controversial flyers and its distribution to the drivers of Light of Glory taxi which is a member of ICVB.
Clavel said the group agreed to his request. He likewise called on the taxi operators to wait for the decision of the LTFRB central office on what would be the standard taxi fare going to the new airport.
The closed-door meeting enabled the ICVB to explain their side on why they engaged in the distribution of said flyers to Light of Glory taxi.
Clavel said the bureau through Diez and Gruenberg admitted their faults on why they sanctioned the Light of Glory to charge additional P80 gratuity fee aside from what is registered on the taxi meter.
"They (bureau) have no bad intention in charging the P80 gratuity fee. They only want to protect their visitors from overcharging by other taxi drivers. However, it is not allowed by the regulating body and the charging of gratuity fee is beyond the authority of the ICVB," said Clavel.
Meanwhile, LTFRB will hold today the third hearing on the petition of the Association of Taxi Operators in Panay (ATOP) for P150 add on for the taxi fare going to the airport. The hearing will be held at the conference room of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.