DOT: Beware of ‘overcharging’ transportation providers using logo

The Department of Tourism on Wednesday warned the public against transportation providers using their logo to overcharge customers.

“We remind the public that only accredited tourism enterprises can display in a conspicuous place in their establishment the DOT Tourism Quality Seal and Accreditation Number,” DOT said in a statement.

The DOT explained that only the DOT Tourism Quality Seal could be used and displayed by accredited tourism enterprises and not the DOT’s official logo.

“We also want to clarify that we do not impose tariff rates for all accredited tourism transportation services, such as yellow metered taxi, coupon taxi, and yellow taxi stationed at the airport,” the department said.

Under existing laws, the authority to set rates rests on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which is in charge of issuing franchises for public conveyance.

The DOT issued the advisory after a recent warning from the Manila International Airport Authority about overcharged transport rate cards used by several transport providers operating at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals.

These transport providers have reportedly been using the DOT logo on their rate cards without authorization from the department.