Police launch campaign vs overcharging PUVs during Palaro

By CALVIN CORDOVA

CEBU CITY—Efforts to stop drivers or operators of Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) from overcharging amid the influx of passengers caused by the ongoing Palarong Pambansa here have been strengthened.

A POLICEMAN flags down a taxi to check its meter amid reports that some Palarong Pambansa delegates were victimized by overcharging drivers. (Contributed photo)

The Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) has joined efforts to apprehend abusive drivers by launching the “Oplan: Against Abusadong Taxi Driver” on Saturday, July 13.

The Highway Patrol Group-Central Visayas (HPG-7) conducted random inspections in coordination with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

During the inspection, taxi meters were checked while stickers containing the hotline number of RHPU were distributed to passengers.

Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, chief of PRO-7, advised passengers to always be mindful of the metric fares of PUVs.

Aberin warned that stiff penalties will be enforced against erring drivers and operators.

“While most of our PUV drivers in Cebu are honest, the police will be looking at those very few who may take advantage of the situation by overpricing. The PNP and the LTFRB are closely working together to prevent this from happening and rest assured that proactive steps are being taken against these erring drivers,” Aberin said.

LTO-Central Visayas Regional Director Glen Galario said that they will conduct random operations after receiving reports that some Palaro delegates were victimized by overcharging drivers.

Last Friday, July 12, a taxi driver was apprehended after he collected excessive fares from a policeman who posed as a member of a Palarong Pambansa delegation.

The policeman boarded the taxi in Pier 1 and was asked to be brought to the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) the main venue of the annual national competition.

Instead of using the taxi meter, the driver demanded P150 from the passenger. The taxi driver was apprehended when they reached CCSC.

Police Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, regional chief of HPG-7, said the trip from Pier 1 to CCSC would only cost P75.

Police confiscated the license of the driver.

Parilla said it will be up to the LTFRB and LTO what sanctions to impose against the driver and the taxi company.

Since the start of the Palarong Pambansa last July 9, the LTO-7 said that two other taxi drivers had been apprehended for the same offense.