Taxi operator told not to use street as garage

CEBU, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board ordered a taxi operator in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City to refrain from using the road as garage for his units.

LTFRB-7 hearing officer Evelyn Misal reminded Jonald Ungab, a resident of La Paloma Village, not to park his taxi units along the road.

Ungab's neighbor, Beth Santillan, earlier complained to La Paloma Homeowners Association president Melche "Boy" Caudor over the matter.

Caudor then brought up the matter to LTFRB-7 regional director Benjamin Go.

Caudor supported Santillan's complaint with photographs of Ungab's taxi units parked along the roads inside the village.

During the hearing of the complaint Tuesday, Misal asked Ungab why he is using the road as parking area when he should have his own garage.

According to Caudor, Ungab has at least 10 taxi units.

"Oftentimes they park at both sides of the street causing us delay in passing through plus the risk of hitting our car against the parked units. These people may have several cars which their garage can no longer accommodate," Santillan said.

Go assured that he will immediately act on the complaint.

"I will look into it kay naa ra ba g'yud na pictures as proof," Go said in a text message to The FREEMAN.

Santillan said Ungab is using "the road as auto shop, parking bay, and lounge for taxi drivers - a fact which exposes all of us residents of Calantas Street to risks of bad elements."

The FREEMAN tried but failed to contact Ungab for his side. (FREEMAN)