Huli ka!

Makati City will again be monitoring and apprehending taxi drivers who refuse passengers, charge extra or engage in "pangongontrata", with the reactivation of their Oplan Isnaberong Tsuper.

To report violations, please contact the following numbers:
- Makati Command Center hotline 168
- 870-1920
- 870-1923
- 870-1926
- 870-1929
- 870-1932
- 870-1935
- 870-1955
- 870-1950
- 870-1951
- 899-8879

Ang daming numbers naman. Sana prinogram na lang nila sa PBX nila para isang number na lang ang kelangan tandaan. Hehehe.

Anyway, it's pretty weird that Makati has their own version of this. The LTO already has Oplan Isnabero, so wouldn't it have been better to just support that program so that complaints can be handled by the organization that controls the franchises and driver's licenses? It's still good, though, as it puts more pressure on these taxis to play good.

LTO has announced another campaign to monitor and apprehend taxi drivers who forego the use of their meters and ask passengers for a fixed fee instead. During a radio interview with LTO chief Alberto Suansing, he said that they will be conducting surprise inspections of taxi bays around the metro, particularly those near the malls, in order to put a stop to this practice. He even gave his "personal" number, 0918-9447951, and invited people to text him directly if they encounter drivers of this type. Read more about it here.

Totoo'ng personal number kaya n'ya 'yan? Baka pwede s'yang maging text mate?

Death threats for Oplan Isnabero chief
Fernando Quiambao, LTO's Oplan Isnabero chief and executive assistant of Reynaldo Berroya, has been receiving SMS death threats through their hotline.

Kawawa naman. They should track the numbers used and go after these bastards.

Traffic channel proposed by MMDA
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando is currently in talks with SkyCable to acquire a cable channel to broadcast traffic conditions.

Now, how useful can this really be? For those who check out the traffic situation on the tube before leaving their houses, the conditions will most likely have changed by the time they reach those areas. And since it's cable, portable TVs inside the cars can't pick it up. Maybe the MMDA should concentrate their resources on something a lot more useful, don't you think?

Good manners and right conduct course for Manila traffic cops
Mayor Alfredo Lim announced that a monthly seminar on these, as well as traffic management, will be held for Manila's traffic enforcers. He also mentioned that "the priority of traffic enforcers should not be in issuing traffic citation tickets but to manage traffic."

This is good. Maybe it'll help reduce the number of heated exchanges that occur between them and drivers.

Discount on fuel extended to January 15
Eastern Petroleum and Unioil has extended their P1.00 and P0.50 discount for gas and diesel, respectively, 'til January 15.

Seems like we can expect a new round of price hikes after the 15th due to the recent surges in world oil prices. So, gas up now!

Oplan Isnabero complainants have to show up
LTO chief Reynaldo Berroya calls on complainants to show up at the hearings against the taxi drivers they reported under Oplan Isnabero.

I suppose this means that if you don't show up, they can't prosecute.

Checkpoints for the New Year
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has announced that it will be setting up checkpoints throughout the metro starting 6pm today until New Year's eve, to guard against loose firearms and prohibited firecrackers. Unfortunately, there are no listings of where these checkpoints will be setup.

Parts Ayala and Makati Avenues to be closed
Starting 10pm tonight, parts of Ayala and Makati Avenues will be closed in preparation for the New Year's party to be held there on Monday. Make sure that you read the article 'cos they included some rerouting information for both private and public vehicles.

Oplan Isnabero a success
Around 1,440 taxi operators and drivers have been summoned by both the LTFRB and the LTO in response to complaints received under the Oplan Isnabero program. Again, instead of just concentrating on the holiday season, they should do this throughout the year.

The LTO has reimplemented their Oplan Isnabero campaign in light of the Christmas season. So, if you encounter any taxi driver that refuses to take you on for whatever reason, just report them through the LTO hotline at 0927-9366777.

Click here to view the news item at ABS-CBN News.

This is good news for commuters. But I hope that this program runs throughout the whole year, instead of just during the holidays.