BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – In most cities in the Philippines, taxi riders complain about drivers “robbing” them of hard-earned money, either by tampering with the fare meter or taking the long and winding road to the passengers’ destination.

Not in Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines, which celebrates a huge cultural festival this entire month of February, the Panagbenga.  The annual flower festival is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of tourists to this  city which boasts of San Francisco-like weather.

It is the other way around: passengers robbing taxi drivers, with the full blessing of the government’s transportation agency!

It would have been a huge opportunity for taxi drivers to earn more income, except for one thing. They’re actually losing 5 pesos each time they take on passengers.

Plastered on the windshield of all Baguio City taxis is a sign that says, “Taxi Fare, less 5 pesos.”  So if your final fare as per the taxi meter is 100 pesos, you actually will only pay 95 pesos.

There is a logical and legal explanation to all this, but it is of little concern to the taxi-riding public.  What’s important is the 5-peso saving each time someone rides a cab.  After 20 taxi rides, you’ll have enough money to buy you a Starbucks espresso!