Operators under the government’s Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Study Program have been advised not to overcharge passengers.
The Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Study Program is a government-backed study for the viability of motorcycle taxis as a mode of public transport.
According to the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the reminder stemmed from complaints from commuters regarding motorcycle riders who charge excessive rates even for short distances, GMA News reported.
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo Tugade, quoted by the GMA News report, also warned unauthorized riders who offer “habal-habal” rides that they may be charged with colorum violation.
“There is no law that authorizes, recognizes, and regulates ‘habal-habal’ to be a mode of public transportation so what they are doing is illegal,” he said in a statement.
Tugade also urged the public to refrain from taking “habal-habal” rides and to report these immediately to the LTO.
For their part, the three MC taxi pilot participants said they will not allow their riders to overcharge passengers, GMA News reported.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) meanwhile has warned erring motorists that they will be penalized for using unauthorized commemorative car plates.
DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. tapped the Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) to arrest violators and work with the LTO to ensure that motorists strictly follow regulations.
The DILG came up with the warning after a picture posted on social media about a vehicle with a commemorative plate bearing “PNPA,” alluding to the Philippine National Police Academy. The photo went viral.
LTO officials said the agency did no allow nor approved any commemorative license plate that bears the letters “PNPA” and no such plate was approved by the Transportation department and endorsed to the LTO.
Abalos said under Malacañang Memorandum Order 405, series of 1996, commemorative plates must not be changed or placed on the back of the vehicle or in the space where the regular license plate is placed. It should also not be used for more than six months.
“We also want to emphasize that having a commemorative plate is not a license to disobey traffic laws. If you violate traffic laws, you will still be arrested. We will continue to take the lead to ensure that important laws and regulations regarding commemorative plates are implemented,” said Abalos.
“We remind motorists and the public, even government employees to follow the correct use of commemorative plates as per the law,” he added.
LTO chief Jose Arturo Tugade earlier reminded the public that his agency has not recommended any form of commemorative license plates in either private or public vehicles.
“The current administration of the LTO has not recommended commemorative license plates to be issued to motor vehicle owners, thus its use is therefore prohibited,” he said.
Commemorative license plates are those whose use is limited to the observance and/or commemoration of events that bear national significance, and with a validity of only one year as approved by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Authorities said a car owner operating with an unauthorized license plate awaits a fine of P5,000 and confiscation of the unauthorized plate under DOTC Joint Administrative Circular No. 2014-01.
They said commemorative plates should not be used to intimidate enforcers managing traffic and stop them from making apprehensions for traffic violations.