QUAINT SIGHTS + THE CAB WAR CONTINUES

Yesterday. I was on a jeep along Pasong Tamo, waiting for the green light to cross Buendia. And out of the main thoroughfare we were about to cross: a horse-drawn karitela, straight out of the 19th century.

The rickety old thing looked like it was about 15 years old-- paint peeling, both wooden wheels brittle, festive gewgaws faded beyond its prime. Compared to the automobiles surrounding it, the karitela took its time. It was drawn by a gaunt horse after all, as compared to horse-powered engines. An anachronism.

But also a refreshing one. I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one in the jeepney smiling at the sight of a karitela in the cosmopolitan (and therefore congested) Makati streets.

* *

Two days ago. In a car, coming back to the office from a meeting. A man in his mid-thirties was walking on the sidewalk, seemed like he missed a step. He fell into the street and started convulsing. Epilepsy perhaps.

Someone nearby rushed to his aid. The car we were in was going too fast to stop. But not fast enough for us to ignore him.

As we zoomed past, I caught a glimpse of his pained grimace. Only the whites of his eyes present.

* *

Last night, on a trip to Manila via jeepney. The fleshy mestiza woman across from me was wearing a pretty nondescript gold necklace. I hadn't noticed it until some unknown thief on a motorbike stopped next to the jeep as some passengers disembarked, and grabbed it. With his motorbike parallel to the stalled jeep, he reached in and jerked the gold necklace loose in front of us all. Squeezed the gas. And he was away in a cloud of exhaust.

The woman didn't even have time to scream.

The city is ripe with opportunities. Too many lax people going about bandying cellphones and jewelry. Too many bags with loose openings and large wallets on people's laps. Give 'em an opening and they'll take the skin off your nape if they could make money off it.

* *

And suddenly, after my lengthy rant last column, taxis have become better.

Well slightly.

Nowadays, there are less of them who ask where you're headed. They just stop and let you get in. Like they're supposed to. Of course, with the newly calibrated meters they have less to complain about. Dammit.

Turns out, if they do ask you where you're headed, they can be reported. Especially if he tries to contract a fee instead of turning on his meter, he can be punished. Someone sent over some info about taxi abuse. Beautiful. And it's about time.

Here's a copy of the email that empowered me, if it's copyrighted content from some other source, forgive me, I have no idea where from:
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If you're willing to take the effort, you can cause a taxi driver as much grief as he puts you through.

But first you have to realize just when you're in the right. Roberto Valera, Senior Transportation Regulation Officer of the Land Transportation Office Investigation Division, enumerates what are considered violations and their corresponding penalties under Republic Act 4136 (creating the LTO) and Department Order 93-693 (the implementing rules):

1. Refusal to convey a passenger - "The mere act of stopping to inquire where the passenger is going and refusal to convey him is sufficient ground to charge him with this offense. If he doesn't want to convey
passengers for any reason whatsoever, the driver should simply wave and not stop." The penalty - P1,000 and one month suspension of driver's license each time this happens

2. Non-use of meter or trying to contract a fee. The penalty: P375 and one month suspension of driver's license each time this happens

3. Fast or tampered meter - first violation - P2,500 and three months' suspension third violation - P5,000 and license revocation

4. Tampered/broken/fake sealing wire on meter first violation - P1,000 and one month's suspension of driver's license third violation - P1,000 and six months' suspension of driver's license

If you have a valid complaint, do this :

Write a letter and send to:
Atty. Percival Cendaña Chief Investigation Division
ATTENTION: Mr. Roberto Valera
Senior transportation regulation officer Land Transportation Office
East Avenue QUEZON CITY

+ Keep one copy for yourself.

+ Narrate when, where, what time the abuse took place. State the plate number (which is written on the inside cab doors). If you can't recall the name of the cab, that's alright. LTO will trace the franchise operator through the plate number.

+ You can follow up your letter at telephone no. 921-4897 or 922-9061 local 263.

+ Wait for a summons from the LTO. You and the abusive taxi driver will be issued a subpoena to attend a hearing together. If the driver ignores the summons thrice, it is placed in his file and he is confronted with it when he renews his license.

+ Don't be surprised to receive a summons to appear nearly a year later. During the hearing, drivers usually lose all cockiness and bluster and start pleading and even become tearful. If your heart melts and you don't want to penalize the driver because he has 10 kids and an ailing wife, you can ask the LTO to keep a copy of its decision on your case in the driver's file and if he does it again, the penalty can be revived.

Remember, they abuse because we let them and if we want them to stop, we have to take time out to pursue our complaints.

+ + +

<Author's Bio>
Rene Diwa is a the new, improved "Urban Commuter" with Calamansi! By day, a computer geek. By night, harem-owner and games-master. When he submitted this piece it was Day #5.