Councilor Joel Alangsab is requesting the Baguio City Police Office, the Public Order and Safety Division, and concerned barangays to assign personnel to check on the practices of volunteer taxi barkers at the taxi stands along Abanao Street, along the Baguio City Public Market, and other areas at the central business district.
In his resolution approved by the city council, Alangsab said that some residents in the city have taken to social media to express their disappointment about their “harrowing” experiences while queuing 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 serve” policy.
Alangsab relayed that there are instances where a barker disregards the queue to let a person get a cab ahead of those in front of them.
He said this violates the First Come, First Serve Ordinance of the city.
Ordinance 25, s. 1990 as amended by Ordinance 122 s. 2019 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.
Alangsab said barkers should only assist the people queuing at the taxi stands but should not decide who gets to ride first or who gets to ride next. He added that these barkers were not authorized by the city government.
Copies of the resolution have been forwarded to the Baguio City Police Office, Public Order and Safety Division, and concerned barangays for appropriate action. – Jordan G. Habbiling
