Various government agencies have joined hands to finally stop “kotong” (extortion) by some police officers and traffic enforcers and colorum vehicles, which cost an ordinary taxi or jeepney driver P7,000 a month.
Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said the move was meant to once and for all end extortion and the operation of colorum or unregistered taxis and jeepneys, imposing a burden on taxi and jeepney drivers who are demanding an increase in minimum fares to compensate.
“We promise to eradicate the problem on ‘kotong’ and colorum by Dec. 15 or a month after this launching,” said Reyes, who added that the transport sector has been clamoring for the government to end this problem. Cecille Suerte Felipe