DAVAO CITY—Here’s the good news to Caraga and Butuan commuters!
Starting Saturday, November 16, commuters can now avail taxi services in Butuan City and the rest of Caraga region.
The operations of taxicab followed after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (TFRB) Caraga Regional Office granted the Balangay Transport Services Cooperative (BALTRANSCO), the provisional Authority to Operate 50 units of taxicabs to operate in the region.
The launching was held at the Almont Inland Resort and Convention Center.
The LTFRB-Caraga in a press statement said, BALTRANSCO applied for 100 units but as of November 15, only 50 units were issued authority.
LTFRB Chairman Atty. Martin B. Delgra III, through a video message, congratulated BALTRANSCO and LTFRB Caraga for the revival of the taxi service in the region.
“I am very happy to greet you today. Once again, we have pushed the government’s program on the modernization of public transport here in Caraga Region. I am one with you today on this occasion on the launching of the taxi service because for a long time it has ceased to operate. Now, through your help and cooperation, we have relaunched this taxi service in Butuan City under the modernization program,” Delgra stressed.
Delgra is hoping that the taxi services will be successful and must provide the best quality of service to the commuters.
The Press statement, is however silent on the flag down rate applicable in the area.
Taxi drivers at present are following the LTFRB-approved fare of PHP40 flag-down rate in addition to the PHP2 per-minute and PHP13.50 per-kilometer charges.
In her speech, Maria Kristina Cassion, the OIC-Regional Director of LTFRB Caraga lauded the effort of the group, “BALTRANSCO has really come a long way. From individual colorum operators of multicabs, we used to hunt you in the streets but you heeded our call to cooperate with us in pushing for the PUVMP and consolidate yourselves into a cooperative. After that you applied for R12 Intra Butuan City route and was granted with more than PhP 33 million loan by DBP, and now you are engaging in taxi services. ” Cassion said.
Commuters in Caraga used to ride public utility jeepney or tricycle as mode of general public transport.
Delgra also warned the taxi operators to always follow the law.-ezc/
