Wazzup Pilipinas!?
The notorious tale of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) taxi syndicate begins the moment you step out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport's arrival area. Tired from your journey, all you want is a quick, straightforward ride. But as you take in the sea of people, one man approaches, identifying himself as a taxi driver. He’s friendly, seemingly helpful, guiding you toward the taxi queue.
At first, nothing seems off. You’re led through the legitimate lines where taxis await, as uniformed guards watch. You’re told these are regular metered taxis. But once you reach the queue, this "friendly" driver now reveals the actual arrangement—a fixed rate, often exorbitant, depending on the distance. If you question him, his demeanor changes; suddenly, you're pressured with a "take it or leave it" choice. If you refuse to pay the steep rate, he casually waves you toward the official yellow airport taxis. But here’s the strange part—he doesn’t leave the queue. He stands there, waiting for the next unsuspecting traveler, his place unchallenged.
The more you observe, the more you notice a pattern. Taxi after taxi, drivers dictate rates, bypassing the meter, while passengers either concede or walk away. Despite the airport's strict rules that prevent drivers from refusing passengers or setting their own prices, these drivers remain bold, often ignoring the reprimands from the people manning the booth. They’re supposed to be kicked out of the line if they turn away passengers, yet they persist, as if they know no real consequences await.
The reason for their defiance has become an open secret: they’re covering costs for a "fee" to even access the arrival area. Rumored to be a syndicate within the airport itself, this organization reportedly charges drivers 200 pesos per entry. To recoup that cost and turn a profit, drivers ditch the meter in favor of inflated fares. Worse, the taxi drivers feel untouchable, operating under the apparent knowledge that someone inside the airport is protecting their interests.
Despite complaints, the cycle continues. Taxi drivers won’t back down, the airport staff remains silent, and the syndicate’s fee ensures the scam stays alive. It’s a racket so well-oiled that it operates under everyone’s nose, while the passengers are left footing the bill, often shocked by the reality lurking behind what seems like a mere transportation option.
The next time you step outside NAIA’s arrival area, take a hard look at the lines. The people in them, posing as regular taxi drivers, aren’t just looking for passengers—they’re part of a tightly controlled scheme designed to exploit arriving passengers, orchestrated under a system that seems impossible to break.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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