ILOILO City – Effective yesterday, the flag down rate for taxis increased to P50.
However, the increase may not be collected until a fare matrix is displayed in the taxi unit, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6.
This adjustment followed the approval of a petition filed by the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association requesting a hike in the flag down rate due to rising fuel costs.
The LTFRB’s Central Office approved the new flag down rate on March 18, 2024 yet. LTFRB-6, however, received a copy of the decision on yesterday morning.
“LTFRB granted an additional increase in the flag down rate from P45 to P50 for both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned units,” said LTFRB-6 officer-in-charge Atty. Salvador Altura.
The Philippine National Taxi Operators Association, which includes the Association of Taxi Operators in Panay (ATOP), filed in 2022 a request to raise the flag down rate to P55, but the board only approved a P50 rate, or a P5 increase.
“My advice to taxi drivers is to come to the office and get the fare matrix or certificate, and make sure it is visibly displayed in your vehicle for passengers to see,” Altura said.
The fare matrix costs P50 to acquire.
For passengers, Altura advised against paying the P50 flag down rate if the new fare matrix is not displayed in the taxi.
“If the driver insists on collecting it, this constitutes overcharging, and you can file a complaint against the driver,” Altura said.
According to LTFRB-6, there are 3,280 registered taxi units in Western Visayas.
The last taxi fare increase approved by LTFRB prior to this one was in October 2022. The flag down rate became P45 from the previous P40./PN