Colorum Taxi Units Impounded by LTFRB, MIAA at NAIA Now at 86 Units

The joint operation between the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) against taxi units operating illegally within its four airport terminals has resulted in 86 impounded vehicles.

The figure was shared by MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal as part of his office's Memorandum of Agreement with the LTFRB signed in August 8, 2017 "to monitor compliance of public land transportation vehicles with public land transportation law, national and airport traffic rules and regulations, respectively."

LTFRB board member Atty. Aileen Lizada added that the agency can impound 'colorum' or taxi units operating illegally if it has no Certificate of Public Convenience, which is issued by the LTFRB, or if the driver neglects to use the standard flag-down rates but negotiates for the fare instead.

In its investigation of the 86 impounded units, one driver admitted to the LTFRB that he has been operating his taxi illegally for 10 years with no franchise from the agency and that he has been driving 'colorum' taxi units since the 1990s. The driver even reasoned out that what he's doing is supposedly better than him committing a crime.

As for the penalty for operating 'colorum' taxi units, Lizada shared that it is a P120,000 fine along with the vehicle being impounded for three months and being blacklisted as a public utility vehicle.

According to the LTFRB, the total number of taxis with franchises registered with the agency is at 10, 917 units--with 8,079 units operating with a certificate of public convenience while 222 units have been impounded by the agency.