PNP urged: Check Baguio taxi barkers over unfair practices

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- Councilor Joel Alangsab urged the Baguio City Police Office,  Public Order and Safety Division and concerned barangays to assign personnel to check practices of volunteer taxi barkers at taxi stands along Abanao Street, Baguio City Public Market, and other areas at the central business district, following public complaints of their harassments and bad practices.
    In his resolution approved by the city council, Alangsab said some residents in the city have taken to social media to express their disappointment about their “harrowing” experiences while queueing at the taxi stands along Abanao Street and the city public market because of unauthorized taxi barkers who reportedly do not observe the “First come, first served” policy.

Alangsab said there are instances where a barker disregards the queue to let a person get a cab ahead of those in front of them.

This completely violates the "First come, first served" ordinance of the city, he said.

Under ordinance 25, series of 1990 as amended by ordinance 122, series of 2019, the “First come, first served” policy is imposed in transactions such as paying taxes and purchasing tickets as well as when entering public utility vehicles such as buses, jeepneys, taxis and the like.

The councilor said that the barkers should only assist the people queueing at the taxi stands but should not decide who gets to ride first or who gets to ride next. He said these barkers were not authorized by the city government.

Copies of the resolution have been forwarded to the BCPO, POSD, and the concerned barangays for information and appropriate action.