A taxi driver in Davao City is under fire after two passengers, one of whom is a person with a disability (PWD), accused him of charging them nearly P3,000 for a trip to the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) from the Davao International Airport.

The complainant’s daughter, Ronelyn Suicano, shared on social media how her parents were charged P2,970 for the trip on Saturday, July 5, 2025.

Suicano said her parents had just arrived at the Davao airport from Manila where they attended her college graduation.

Her mother’s condition allowed them to bypass the queue at the taxi bay with the help of a security guard.

When they arrived at the DCOTTT to board a bus bound for Digos City, Davao del Sur, the taxi meter allegedly showed a fare of P2,970.

“Tina-try ko ang best ko na mabigyan sila ng maayos na trip duto sa Luzon dahil we are celebrating my graduation. Hindi ko inexpect ba pag-uwi nila ng Davao, ‘yun ang mangyayari sa experience nila sa taxi,” Ronelyn said.

According to her father, Ronnie Suicano, the taxi fare went up rapidly during the trip, as shown on the meter. When they refused to pay for the fare, the driver reportedly got angry.

“Ingon ko nga dakoa pud ana uy, ana siya wa ta’y mahimo kay mao nay nikuan diha. Ana ko di ko mobayad ana uy, pirti mang isoga niya pabayron gyud mi. Ang gisukli niya sa tres mil maam traynta ra gyud. Mao gyud to P2,970. Nagpakuan siya sa iyang metro unya kusog kaayo ba ang tuyok,” Ronnie said.

Ronnie said the money they used for the fare came from the hard-earned savings as farmers. He is certain about the amount paid, saying they only had three P1,000 bills and one P500 bill at that time.

Unfortunately, they were not able to get the taxi’s plate or body number.

“Naguol gyud ko, naa gud ko’y mga apo, may na lang unta to pamalit og bugas di gani to ipagasto sa akong anak didto (sa Manila) kay dinhi na lang daw pag-abot na lang namo diri,” Ronnie added.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Davao (LTFRB-11) acted immediately on the complaint and coordinated with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)-Davao.

The taxi driver involved has been identified.

“Akong gipangutana ang pasahero wala sila giagi sa driver didto sa gate 5 exit para magpa-record so pasabot diri sila sa left lane outer lane. Kung taxi ka unya naa kay pasahero, required ka moagi didto sa exit. I-kuan namo sa among legal kung pwede ba nato sila i-ban diria,” CAAP-Davao Security Supervisor, Rommel Chaonui, said.

LTFRB-11 Director, Nonito Llanos, said a show cause order has already been issued against the driver.

If the complaint is proven, the taxi operator will face penalties and the driver’s license could be revoked.