Radyo5 Taxi Squad in Davao

MANILA, Philippines - Picking up the pace from the success of its membership recruitment and renewal activities in Metro Manila and Cebu, Radyo5 Taxi Squad steered its way this time to Davao, heeding the call of over a hundred-strong Davaoeños who had long wanted to be part of the trailblazing public service campaign that is winning recognition and accolades from award-giving bodies.

The Nasa Tama workshop, which was held in the garages of Davao’s biggest car companies, kicked off with a seminar on traffic rules and regulations, back-to-back with a discussion on grooming conducted by the LTO. This was then followed by a helpful crash course on proper news reporting led by News5 Reporter Paolo Anota. A PhilHealth helpdesk was likewise included to assist the Taxi Squad members in attendance, all of whom were delighted as well with the free meals, massages, medical check-ups and loads of freebies that they took home from partners and sponsors.

Similar to its aforementioned nationwide runs, the Nasa Tama workshop aimed to further strengthen the Taxi Squad Davao community as a more credible news force. On top of this, the event also focused on enhancing the intrinsic values expected of the Taxi Squad members.

But more than just growing the entire Radyo5 Taxi Squad force by number, the even more remarkable story is how the Taxi Squad Davao members took it upon themselves to take their significant role in society to even greater heights. Since its launch in the Crown Jewel of Mindanao in December 2012, the Radyo5 Taxi Squad Davao community has undeniably become an effective and strategic partner of TV5 in delivering exceptional standards of public service to the Davaoeños — ultimately going above and beyond their role as TV5’s extra pair of eyes and ears. 

On top of being citizen-journalists-on-wheels, the Taxi Squad members have also proactively taken to heart their roles as front liners of the local city government and the local tourism industry. From being true to their pledge of honesty by immediately returning items that were left behind by their passengers, to being vigilant motorists, these particular Taxi Squad members have made an impact in promoting the positive image of Davao. 

Radyo5 Taxi Squad has embraced public service and has truly impacted the society in more ways than one. As TV5 Davao station manager Tayna Miclat puts it, “It was during the very first investiture of Taxi Squad members in Davao back in 2012 where we emphasized their importance as the front liners of the local city government and the local tourism industry. As citizen journalists, their role also calls for honesty and trustworthiness, so the riding public would feel more secure and their news reports more believable.”

With the growing number of Taxi Squad members and their role in delivering news, Miclat also shares the future plans for the program, “The Taxi Squad will soon have a regular news segment in Radyo5 101.9 NewsFM. We have lined up a series of training aimed at furthering their role as ambassadors of local tourism. We also intend to train them on how to act as immediate responders in times of disasters — such as floods, fires, earthquakes, among others.”