Do you welcome the LTFRB's taxi meter receipt scheme?

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: Yes, let’s give this scheme a try. After all, our life here on earth is just an experiment. Who knows? It might redound to our benefit.  

Ric Vergara, Calamba: No, we have enough regulations to address the problem. What we need is the proper and religious implementation of existing schemes.  

Long overdue

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: It was Gen. Thompson Lantion (LTFRB/LERAP) who proposed this taxi meter receipt scheme, and it is long overdue. As DOTC’s accredited NGO in Region 4A, our group often conducts Oplan: Isnaberos to nab erring taxi drivers that practice contracting passengers. Many times, I’ve reprimanded unscrupulous drivers who always reason out, “Sir, ang hina kasi ng biyahe!” If receipts are issued, then the riding public will benefit from it. Implement it ASAP, General!  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: The LTFRB’s taxi meter receipt scheme should have been practiced long ago. Madadaya ang karamihang metro ng taxi.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: Yes, in fact, it’s long overdue. It’s time to put a stop to the immoderate greed of unscrupulous taxi drivers. This will be a big break for commuters.  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Yes, if it’s beneficial to all concerned. Let’s do it and implement it ASAP to see the difference.  

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: This should have been implemented long ago, but our officials are cowed by transport leaders’ strike threats with their undisciplined members.  

Arrin Villareal, Antipolo City: The taxi meter receipt has long been implemented by the LTFRB since Lantion, but no taxi has ever issued one since. Props lang ang naging silbi nito.  

Good idea, but a waste of money

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: It’s a good idea, but a waste of money, really. Never underestimate our taxi drivers’ “creative minds” when faced with a problem like this.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Again, it’s a very good move, the only problem is how to implement it properly.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: With or without a taxi meter receipt, it will be the same. Nandiyan pa rin ang mga taxi driver na mandurugas at ayaw magbalik ng sukli.  

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: While it’s a laudable project, the added cost will be incorporated in the “boundary”. This will be an added burden to the driver.  

Convenience to the riding public

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: Taxi meter receipts will provide passengers convenience. Besides using them to reimburse expenses for work, passengers can use them to trace the cab number in case they left something in it. But it’s more important that LTFRB phase out old and dilapidated taxicabs. Require cabs to be clean. Cabs should have a life span of only three years. Cab drivers must also wear clean uniforms and pass rigid psychiatric, drug and driving tests.  Robert Young Jr., San Juan

Yes, welcome na welcome ang LTFRB’s taxi meter receipt scheme sa akin, basta para sa kapakanan ng riding public na tulad kong walang kotse.  

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: I wholeheartedly welcome the LTFRB’s taxi meter receipt scheme. It will assure passengers of legal fare, wherever his or her destination is. It will prevent arguments with the driver, which usually happens if the fare gets high and seems unreasonable. I don’t see anything wrong with it, except that the proprietors have to spend more for the installation of the meter. But eventually, it will be beneficial to both driver and passenger.

It’s an inconvenience

J. Eduardo, Baguio City: Taxi meter receipts will be useless since drivers will agree to take you only if you agree to go off the meter.  

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Taxi meter receipts are a great idea, as it will protect the interest of the passenger, the taxi driver, the taxi operator and the BIR. But if installing the gadget will cost more than P5,000, forget it for now due to financial difficulties. It will be okay if the driver can manually prepare the receipt within a minute; otherwise, it will be inconvenient to both passenger and taxi driver.  

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: Honestly, I don’t understand why this idea came out just now. Will this entail the installation of a new kind of taxi meter to replace the old meters that do not automatically issue receipts? If it does, I have no comment except to say, “Our country really goes round and round on things that we don’t benefit from!” What benefit will this afford the taxi rider? LTFRB should protect, instead, the riding public that is victimized by taxi drivers who insist on negotiated fares, which is rampant especially during rush hours!  

What about a fare rollback?

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Anything that would benefit the public is welcome, but with diesel at P29.50, why is LTFRB sleeping on a fare rollback? Grease money has drowned the LTFRB.  

It’s not necessary

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: No, taxis are for emergency and speedy travel in cities. Those who can afford to ride them won’t even bother to ask for receipts nor get loose change.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Can it stop taxi drivers from charging extra and the use of taxi meters running faster than the cab? I’m certain that it can’t. Palabok lang ’yan ng LTFRB.  

Elpidio Que, Vigan: What is that scheme for? Is it to skin passengers further with e-VAT? That is a no-no, for ordinary people like us are already so financially hard up because of corruption greatly aggravated by the e-VAT slapped on almost all basic services and goods! Or is it to impose tighter control on rascal taxi drivers who con their passengers on fares? That is also a no-no for that will entail a great waste of paper to the detriment of Mother Earth. They do not do such in the US, from which most of our corrupt politicians and bureaucrats almost always copy their initiatives and practices for pa-pogi effect. Do not pursue that scheme anymore, Sir Thompson. Instead, train your sub-machine gun on other programs that can give real benefits to Filipino passengers, like catching colorum buses, and reducing fares in line with world oil prices, among others.  

It will counter overcharging

Gerry del Cano, Muntinlupa City: Yes, as long as the taxi meter and the taxi driver are not deceiving or misleading.  

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Yes, the riding public will be protected from unscrupulous drivers and their overcharging.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Taxi meter receipts are a bright idea, for it will eliminate overcharging and cheating.  

E. Linsangan, Isabela: It looks like a good start in 2009 for the riding public. The taxi meter receipt scheme means goodbye to fast taxi meters and overcharging drivers. It’s a most welcome move from the LTFRB.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: I welcome the LTFRB’s taxi meter receipt scheme. For all those who ride taxis, this will surely minimize the overcharging fees of dishonest taxi drivers.  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Yes, the taxi meter scheme will address the problem of overcharging and contracting being done by some taxi drivers, as the plate number will be reflected in the receipt.  

Robert Chan, Zamboanga City: The plan for the LTFRB’s taxi meter receipt scheme is advantageous to the riding public and the taxi operator for there will be no fare fixing.

Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City: Such a scheme will protect both operators and the riding public from being shortchanged by tricky and opportunistic taxi drivers.  

No use if meters are tampered

Imee Aglibot, Rizal: The LTFRB’s taxi meter receipt program is like the South Beach Diet. While the South Beach Diet is one easy, convenient and effective diet program, it’s said that the protein-rich regimen is simply not patterned for carbohydrate-loving Pinoys. The same goes for this LTFRB proposal. The taxi and driver may be fine, but the meter is not or the meter has been tampered by the driver itself, so what assurance or benefit does it give a passenger? Besides, tampered meters are not mainly the risk in hiring taxis. If you’re a promdi, chances are, you’ll be taken for a real nice ride before you reach your destination by a few bad drivers. You’ll be dismayed to read your bill on your receipt by then.  

Another money-making scheme

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: Taxi metered receipts could be another money-making idea of the LTFRB, like the previous LTO requirement that all vehicle owners must buy hazard signages only from certified suppliers. Taxi meter receipts cost money. Maybe cab drivers can just issue written receipts upon a passenger’s request. But how about phasing out running coffins from the streets? Or requiring drivers to wear fresh uniforms or keep the cab clean?  

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: What for? This is a good idea with yet another money-making purpose, but implementing it will either be lousy or will have no results at all. How will the LTFRB effectively implement and control such a system? Are our minds deteriorating and running out of ideas? I am a constant traveler. My experience shows that before I can ride a taxi from the airport or pier to my destination, the driver will first make arrangements for a fixed rate higher than the meter reading for varied reasons. If you don’t agree, then, you cannot reach your destination on time. How will this meter receipt solve the common practice being done today? Can we report them to the proper authorities? The cost of time spent can be more than the offered rate! We won’t have evidence to support the overcharges; the meter receipt will be in the right amount. Ultimately, the case will not prosper in court and we will just be spending our effort, time and money for nothing.  

R. Angeles, Iriga City: A big no, because it will only mean another source of corruption in the LTFRB.  

Constructive discipline

Dave Velasco, Marinduque: Yes, that’s the first step to honesty for public commuters. It’s what you call constructive discipline.  

Let’s give it a shot

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: This scheme must be given a chance and I’d readily welcome it. So as not to defeat its purpose, the LTO, in collaboration with the LTFRB, must be very strict in calibrating taxi meters that are usually rigged or manipulated by dishonest drivers to a nearly unbelievable fast meter reading lest the issuance of receipts just go to naught. This and other ways of monitoring erring drivers could possibly convince even the most doubtful of them that the LTFRB really means business. Hopefully, it will not be affected by the typical Filipino malady: Ningas cogon. 

Dr. Dennis Acop, La Trinidad, Benguet: I definitely welcome the LTFRB’s taxi meter receipt scheme. Although many people frown on taxes or any government revenue-generating scheme, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of revenue generation for the public sector. Official receipts encourage the accurate and efficient payment of taxes by income earners (for income taxes) and consumers (for VAT). Income taxes are preferred over value-added taxes due to their progressive nature, i.e. those who earn more, pay more, as opposed to the regressive nature of the VAT, which collects equitably from consumers regardless of income. Government revenues provide for the homeless, uneducated, sick, aged, hungry, defenseless, victims of crime, abused, and any other marginalized sector of society. If taxi meter receipts contribute to better tax collection efficiency, I say so be it.

THE WAY I SEE IT

V. Cantara, Parañaque City: The SC is a collegial body. Puno has only one vote even if is the head. His being the chief has no bearing at all about the weight of his vote.  

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: If PGMA is serious about leaving a legacy of greatness, the automation of the election process in time for the 2010 polls will surely be a monumental achievement. Sadly for the country, PGMA and her cohorts are feverishly working for her stay in power beyond 2010. Her press releases that she’s certain to leave office after her term is belied by her allies’ continuous maneuvers to pursue Cha-cha at all costs, with her tacit consent.  

REACTIONS

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: To Federico Pascual: Your cabalen, ‘Among’ Ed Panlilio, is dreaming a quixotic dream. Who will finance his campaign kitty? Ateneo?  

Felix Ramento, Manila: Yes, Sara. Lawyers with no self-respect are witting partners of the devil, which is why among the words of my father, a law grad, that I value most are: “Kung di ka nahihiya sa ibang tao, mahiya ka sa sarili mo.”  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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