ATOP downs add-on petition to P90
Clavel
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regional director Porfirio Clavel said the taxi operators have yet to file an amendment to their previous petition for an add-on of P150 to the taxi rate in going to the airport.
This Clavel bared after learning through media reports that the Association of Taxi Operators in Panay (ATOP) and lawyer Joseph Vincent Go, operator of Light of Glory Taxi, have agreed to just ask for a P90 add-on instead of the P150 previously asked by the Atop.
Go earlier filed opposition to the P150 add-on sought by the ATOP. However, in a meeting middle of last week, ATOP president Donna Rose Ratilla, operator of GDR Taxi, disclosed that Go joined them in asking for an add-on but only for P90.
"We were glad that Atty. Go decided to join us, maybe he realized that what we are asking is valid. With regard to the lowering of the add-on rate to P90, we agree to that. Anyway the P150 add-on we previously asked was only our ceiling, it depends on the LTFRB if it will be approved or not," Ratilla said in a radio interview.
Ratilla noted that the P90 add-on proposal is their win-win solution to the earlier conflict between her group and Atty. Go.
She said their position in seeking for additional rate for the taxi airport fare could be more effective if they move as one.
It could be noted, however, that the provincial government of Iloilo also filed opposition to any add-on to the fare going to the new Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan.
Clavel said the result of the series of hearings on the P150 add-on petition filed by ATOP could be known anytime this week.
ATOP has asked for an add-on to the regular taxi fare to the new airport citing that there are no economic activities yet along the way to the airport which means taxi drivers may find difficulty having passengers going back to the city.
Meanwhile, Clavel reminded taxi drivers not to charge any additional fare yet until the LTFRB decides on their pending petition.