Authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are ramping up their efforts to curb abusive public utility vehicle (PUV) practices, with more drivers being apprehended during random inspections this week.
On Wednesday alone, 41 taxis, motorcycle taxis, and other vehicles were inspected at NAIA Terminal 3. Two were issued tickets for expired registration and were immediately impounded, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) confirmed.
The intensified campaign is being carried out by a composite team formed last June 22, made up of personnel from the LTO, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Airport Police Department, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the PNP Aviation Security Group.
In a bid to curb overcharging and other violations, the LTO said it deployed more personnel to NAIA to improve its real-time response capability.
“We are making NAIA and its surroundings a ‘discipline zone’ and the deployment of our personnel there will be the start to ensure compliance of the regulations of these drivers,” said LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II.
MIAA General Manager Eric Ines had earlier announced plans to increase the current 45-member patrol team watching over the airport’s vicinity.
Since the task force began operations, a number of PUV drivers have already been sanctioned. Among them was a motorcycle taxi driver who allegedly charged a passenger PHP2,000 for a trip from Terminal 3 to Cainta, Rizal—an incident that led to the suspension of his license.
On January 25, 11 other PUV drivers were apprehended for illegal contracting and various franchise violations.
Authorities say the crackdown will continue to operate 24/7 to protect the public from erring drivers and restore order in and around the country’s main gateway.
