Huli ka!

Sorry, this isn't about traffic or transportation but we just couldn't help it.

When asked to react on her negative 38 popularity rating on the latest SWS survey, the President said, "Let the people, not the surveys, judge my performance."

Kaya naman pala ganito ang lagay ng bayan natin ngayon.

Click here to read the article.

According to DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza, the MRT will be adding more capacity (doubling it, according to them) by adding another coach to each of their 3-car trains. Approval for the project is currently awaiting the approval of the NEDA board. Read more about it here.

Finally! This will definitely be a boon to the public as ridership has increased dramatically ever since gas prices started zooming up. And, you never know, this may even lead to the eventual reduction of buses plying EDSA, which will greatly improve traffic on EDSA.

P.S. How does adding 25% more space double capacity?

The 10 peso add-on rate to the standard taxi fare will take effect starting July 25. However, taxis will only be allowed to collect the add-on rate if they have the LTFRB-issued sticker/certificate posted inside the vehicle. Click here to read the full article from the Inquirer.

There have already been cases where taxi drivers have already been charging the P10 add-on to their passengers (see here). So be forewarned, folks.

Since the end of June, the MMDA has been intesifying their drive against yellow lane violators, resulting in approximately 2,000 apprehensions. In a press release today, Bayani Fernando, MMDA Chairman, has called on drivers of private vehicles to follow the rules or risk apprehension. Read the full article from the Inquirer here.

Chairman naman! Kahit naman sino'ng eng-eng ay nakikita na ang trapik sa EDSA ay nagmamaligid sa mga istasyon ng bus. Bago mo tirahin ang mga drayber ng pang pribadong sasakyan, disiplinahin mo kaya muna yung mga drayber ng mga pang-publikong bus kasi mas malala ang epekto ng kanilang pagka-barumbadong pagmamaneho sa trapiko. Palibhasa kasi mas mahirap gatungan ang mga bus drayber at kundoktor kaya mas gusto nila manghuli ng mga pribado.

Yesterday, a bunch of masked men carnapped Kimberly Singson's Toyota SUV. Unfortunately for them, Kimberly is Chavit's daughter, so you can expect these guys (and the cops who "control" them) to pay for it dearly. Bet you they'll retrieve the car within the next few days, similar to what happened to Johnny Enrile's car a few years ago.

Anyway, read the full article from the Inquirer here.

On Friday, July 11, minimum fares in Metro Manila will go up to P8.50 for jeepneys, P10.00 for non-aircon buses and P12.00 for airconditioned buses.

As fuel costs continue to spiral, Metro Manilans are now turning to public transportation, according to an article on ABS-CBN News Online. So if you thought that the situation on the trains were bad before, get ready to be squeezed even more.

Another thing I've noticed is that there are now more people willing to squeeze into apartments nearer to their place of work. I've seen a lot of notices in my company's forums for rooms for rent and bedspacers. Haven't seen too many calls for car pooling, though.

You guys have any other suggestions on how to save money on gas? Post 'em here.

According to Shell, diesel prices still need to go up by 7 pesos to make up for under-recoveries. And this still doesn't take into account the current depreciation of the peso. Now, they're thinking whether they'd do a one-time lump sum increase or continue with the staggered increases that they're doing now.

It really is time for the government to cut VAT on oil products. Or at the very least, for diesel, since it is used for public transportation and the transport of basic goods. And they should really start developing alternative sources of electricity (which they should have started a hundred years ago!).

Read the full article from Inquirer.net here.

Ano ba 'to?! Yung driver pa yung naninigarilyo sa loob ng jeep!
Sayang at di ko nakuha yung plaka nung jeep.