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Saw this thread on The Pitstop on the PinoyExchange forum about the LTFRB's How's my driving? program. The program requires that all vehicles with an LTFRB franchise display the words How's my driving? Text LTFRB 0921-4487777, followed by the operator's telephone number, on the rear, either by painting or a sticker. This goes for all public utility vehicles (buses, jeeps, taxis, AUVs), shuttle service vehicles (school buses, company shuttles) and the like. Failure to comply means a P500 fine for each offense.

Anyway, based on the entries on the thread, people who have tried texting the number have either gotten no response or received a reply asking them to go the nearest LTO office to file a formal complaint. If that's the case, then why bother placing the LTFRB number if they won't act on complaints submitted there? Niloloko lang nila yung mga tao and sinasayang yung piso o singkwenta sentimos. The LTFRB should either take ownership and start acting on complaints or junk their hotline number altogether.

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?

According to this clip from ABS-CBN News, the LTO, LTFRB and PNP Highway Patrol Group have jointly announced that a 40kph speed limit will be strictly enforced on Commonwealth Ave.

Another clip says that the LTFRB and bus operators are looking at technical options to limit the speeds of buses. They're looking at a couple of gadgets called the Rev Limiter, which supposedly limits the engine from reaching its maximum rotational speed, and the Speed Limiter, which bogs down the engine once a preset speed limit is reached.

Will these efforts work? We sure hope so.

LTO chief Alberto Suansing has announced plans to require driver's license applicants to go through a neuro-psychiatric test. According to him, they are currently determining if implementation would require Congress or can be done via an administrative order. He also said that this will definitely increase the driver's license fee but that "it would be a small price to pay to ensure the safety of the motorists and the pedestrians."

Hay naku! Raket na naman! Just like that stupid drug test which costs P300 (or is it P250?) when the total cost for the test is much less than P100. You know, instead of outsourcing the testing, they should just accredit major hospitals and clinics. That way people will have:
1. A choice where to have the test done - Having to pee in front of strangers in these dingy, dirty, so-called clinics is not a good experience.
2. Promote competition and bring the prices down - A piss and a standard optemetrist's chart is not worth 300 bucks.
3. Remove any doubts that this is a money-making scheme - This exclusive stuff really does lead us to believe that there's someone out there making big bucks on this.

If they're worried about "cheating", then they can declare a test validity period. And if they're really paranoid, then they should just come up with a central database and ask those accredited to connect and update real-time (uy, another potential money-making scheme for Stradcomm!).

According to a COA ruling, the LTO Region XI office has to return P22.9M in illegally collected VAT on the so-called "computer fee" from 2003 to 2007 to the public. This will most likely take the form of a discount on future registrations, license renewals and such. Read more about it here.

Hmmm...sa Region XI lang kaya ito nangyayari? Anyway, this should be good news to people in the Davao region. Although, the amounts might not really amount to much, considering today's economy and looking at what's coming in the near-future, every little bit helps.

LTO chief Alberto Suansing has announced that they will be pushing through with the implementation of the AO 2008-015. In his talk, he mentioned that they (meaning the MMDA and local government traffic enforcement) will be apprehending motorcycle riders who:
1. Wear flip-flops, sandals, slippers or being bare-footed while riding a motorcycle in major thoroughfares.
2. Carry more than one passenger as a back rider in national and city roads.
3. Drive without a helmet.

No mention, however, was made for the need to wear leather boots and heavy pants and jackets.

Also, Suansing also said that they are junking the PNP's petition to implement a two-plate policy for motorcycles. Read more about it here.

Update, October 1, 10:50pm:
A new article on the same topic states that bikers on less busy municipal roads and barangay roads can take on more than one rider. This should be good news, somewhat, for habal-habal drivers. At least, they'll still be able to continue loading up on passengers as long as they don't go on major roads. Unfortunately, it also says that the LTO is still open to implementing a two-plate policy, pending "public consultation." Read more about it here.

No more phones while driving?
There's a pending bill that proposes a total ban on the use of cellphones while driving. The weird thing about it is that it exempts law enforcers, rescue vehicle drivers (ambulances, fire engines, etc.) and media people. Maybe their training gave them abilities beyond that of the common man.

Actually, the cities of Manila, Makati and Cebu already have regulations banning this, but it is hardly enforced (unless the enforcers really need money). The bill, we believe, seeks to expand coverage to the whole country.

Spycams in Pasay
Pasay City will be installing CCTV cameras on major roads in the city for traffic monitoring. However, Florencio Mateo, chief of the Pasay City Traffic and Parking Management Office, has also said that the cameras will be used to monitor "abusive" traffic enforcers. So, smile everyone! You're on candid camera!

PNP and LTO admits to existence of fake plate syndicate
Seems like the PNP and LTO have caught some of the small fry who are part of a syndicate selling fake license plates right inside LTO's main compound. In a sting operation, the police were able to buy a yellow plate, an 8 protocol plate and a diplomatic plate from this group, each for just P9,000.00, complete with the appropriate LTO documents. A closer inspection of the plates reveal that, although quite similar to legitimate plates, the LTO is able to determine that these were indeed fake (which we suppose would be something that your everyday traffic enforcer would be unable to do).

Kaya pala kumakalat ngayon yung mga special plates sa kalye. They should really start cleaning up their own backyard.

MMDA implements Pink Line Project
The MMDA has started towing vehicles and clearing obstacles violating their "pink lines" in their latest effort to clear the sidewalks. The drivers who were caught parking illegally on the sidewalks complained that they were not adequately informed by the MMDA about the policy.

Now, if they were parallel parked on the sidewalk, then obviously that's illegal parking. But if they were in they were parked in a driveway that extended to the sidewalk, then that's kinda iffy. I mean, it would just be proper for the MMDA to give people time to "fix" their garages/driveways, since it was lack of proper enforcement of this particular law that led to this situation in the first place.

Anyway, here's a video from GMANews.TV that explains the pink line policy:

New LTO chief opens doors to public
Alberto Suansing, the new head of the LTO, has announced that the public is welcome to go to him directly for any LTO-related complaints.

Hopefully, he'll provide the public with an email address or an online forum that the public can use.

Traffic violators who have unpaid fines with the MMDA will soon be unable to renew their driver's licenses and vehicle registrations with the LTO, with the upcoming implementation of a technology tie-up with the MMDA. The system will allow LTO branches nationwide to cross-check driver's license numbers and plate numbers against the MMDA database and disapprove renewals should these prove to have pending violations.

Finally, the government is making good use of technology to make themselves more efficient. The LTO should actually do this with the local government units as well, since they also have their own enforcing and ticketing systems.

Anyway, click here to read the full article.

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?

Police car involved in accident
A jeepney crashed into the side of a police car at the corner of Aurora and Balete around 11:30am today. According to the jeepney driver, the police car allegedly beat the red light. Also, he claims that the blinker and siren were only turned on after the accident. Anyway, the traffic investigator said that the jeepney driver may be charged with "reckless imprudence resulting in multiple injuries and damage to government property."

I actually believe the jeepney driver's story. I've seen too many police vehicles, both cars and motorcycles, ignoring stoplights, no left turns, no u-turns, one ways, etc., for no particular reason aside from their own convenience.

Impounded taxis found to have tampered engine numbers
The LTO has reported that 14 out of 85 taxis currently impounded were found to have tampered engine and chassis numbers, leading them to believe that these were stolen.

For details on the plate, engine and chassis numbers of these taxis, check out the article. You never know, you might find your long, lost, stolen vehicle.

MMDA and Pasay fight over DFA parking
Pasay mayor Peewee Trinidad criticized the MMDA after 8 MMDA enforcers issued tickets to 42 vehicles belonging to officials, employees and visitors of the DFA parked on the service road of Roxas Blvd. According to the mayor, that area has long been used as a parking area by the DFA, and is supposedly covered by a city ordinance that provides free parking to DFA officials, employees and visitors. The Pasay Traffic and Parking Management Office wanted to file a case against the 8 enforcers but backed off after the enforcers took back the tickets they issued. MMDA chariman Bayani Fernando responded that if their enforcers were arrested, they would file their own charges.

In the first place, the DFA should develop their own parking area. Roxas Blvd. is one of the metro's major thoroughfares and experiences heavy traffic all the time. Isn't the public interest more important than the convenience of these officials?

Pending bill to make helmets mandatory
Sen. Bong Revilla Jr. has filed a bill to make helmets mandatory for all motorcycle and scooter riders, including passengers. Tricycle drivers, however, are exempted.

Huh? You mean it isn't mandatory right now?

LTO centralizes registration of imported vehicles
LTO chief Reynaldo Berroya has announced that, starting immediately, the initial registration of all imported new and used vehicles will have to be done with the central office. Imports made under the government's Motor Vehicle Development Program (which I suppose are those imported by those with local manufacturing facilities, but I may be wrong) are exempted.

So mababawasan na yung mga bagong exotic cars dito sa 'pinas.

Gov't claims diesel to go down by P1
Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes has announced that they expect diesel prices to go down by as much as P1 per liter anytime between February 1 and 15. This will be a result of the 2 percentage point reduction in petroleum products that he will be endorsing. No reduction of unleaded is expected as savings on these will be used to subsidize diesel prices. Oil firms, however, have announced that prices of other petroleum products may be increased to make up for current under-recoveries.

Lahat nito, dahil kay George W. Hehehe.

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.

A bus rammed the center island and several vehicles late yesterday morning at the Coastal Road in Paranaque. Again, defective brakes were to blame. Buti na lang walang namatay, at least as of press time.

Calling LTFRB! Calling LTO! Please do your jobs! Or does their charter not include ensuring public safety for the country's commuters?

Here are a couple of news links on this, one from the Inquirer, and another from GMA News.

Five separate accidents caused by two trucks and three buses, resulting in five deaths and sixty injured, all in one day at the NLEX. And the best they can do is advise these truck and bus drivers to check their vehicles before they travel?!?

Check out the Inquirer article here.

The LTO and LTFRB should really take a proactive stance in making sure that these truck and bus companies maintain their vehicles properly. Inspections should be expanded to include vehicle condition and roadworthiness, and frequency should be increased to at least every six, or better yet, every three months. In fact, they should also include all public utility vehicles in this program. This will also give them a chance to trim down on the number of public utility vehicles, especially those traveling on EDSA.

How many people have to die before the government does something about this?

This bus had parking lights, but no brake lights.
The LTO should really start implementing a thorough inspection of vehicles during registration. In all my years of registering vehicles, I have yet to see them check anything outside of the engine and chassis numbers, and for a brief period some years ago, the EWD. Brake lights, parking lights, head lights, rearview and sideview mirrors are just a few items that they need to ensure that each vehicle has in good working condition for it to be considered road worthy.