Baguio taxi drivers now required to issue receipts

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Transportation and Communication is now requiring taxi drivers here to issue receipts to passengers.

DOTC Cordillera director Federico Mandapat Jr. said they will now strictly require taxi drivers to issue receipts to passengers.

Among other reasons is to trace belongings left in taxis by passengers.

Receipts will also determine if taxi owners or operators are paying the right amount of taxes according to their gross income, Mandapat said.

He added passengers should demand receipts from drivers so penalties would be imposed on drivers or operators for noncompliance to the new order.

Some taxi drivers earlier said receipts would be a waste of time since most passengers rush out upon reaching their destinations.

Other taxi drivers said the new order will be a burden to operators as it requires more expenses on buying and installation of the meter and papers.

But Mandapat said taxi drivers and operators have to comply so government could determine violators in paying taxes. -- Antonio Alvarez Sagud Jr.