In the recent LTFRB/Uber/Grab fiasco, there have been a lot of complaints and bad juju flung at the LTFRB. I guess the government is just doing its job huh? We won’t hazard to guess how they should do their job, but just in case they tire of running the ride sharing apps to the ground, they may want to focus on these other more pressing matters.

The “Kotong” Culture

Greedy officials are everywhere. Instead of directing traffic, their first instinct seems to be to stealthily catch and fine drivers who make even the slightest violation. But the most infuriating thing is to witness enforcers turn a blind eye to LTFRB approved vehicles and their blatant violation of traffic laws.

Cars that cause major pollution

It would seem like a minor violation if you don’t consider the major damage it could cause the world long-term. Did the enforcers tire of chasing down these bad boys belching dark smoke and slapping fines on their faces? Even in the littlest of things, there should be order. This isn’t even a little thing!

Illegal parking

For Filipinos sometimes we get used to doing things and forgetting that they’re illegal, because hey, if I’ve been illegal parking here for years and everybody does it too and nobody gets apprehended then maybe it’s okay. It’s the ultimate way to make people forget that what they’re doing is illegal. We wouldn’t even be stuck in this dilemma in the first place if the authorities in charge of apprehending these people are doing their jobs properly! But the root of this problem is the fact that people are allowed to buy cars even if they don’t have their own parking and the fact that the government issued them papers for these vehicles.

What has this got to do with LTFRB? Drop by East Avenue and see the vehicles awaiting inspection by LTO and LTFRB parked right by a major road.

PUVs not following the designated loading and unloading bay

..and yet some transport groups have the audacity to say that it’s Grab and Uber that’s the cause of traffic in the metro. Hello? Have you tried public transportation during rush hour on a Friday? PUVs are blocking roads everywhere, disregarding their official loading and unloading bay. It’s the cause of all the traffic! If anything, ride sharing apps have become a comfort for tired office workers who don’t want to battle with the rest of the world for a space in the MRT.

Traffic rule violators

Jeepneys are often the cause of the crippling traffic anywhere in the country. Apparently they abide by traffic rules that are exclusive only to them. They can use lanes for left turns or right turns even if they’re going straight, they can stop in the middle of the freaking road because a passenger is getting off, and in the event of a malfunctioning traffic light, they will squeeze their way into the intersection and cause a traffic jam. And yet they aren’t fined and authorities turn somewhat a blind eye to them. Not only them, even buses and taxis! Only in the Philippines will you see a private car apprehended for accidentally getting into the “bus only” lane, but buses not even stopped when they pass through the “private cars only” lane. Double standards ha!

Colorum buses, jeepneys, taxis, and UVs

These would never exist if we were provided with better legal transportation. We are now used to colorum PUVs because it’s more dependable than risking life and limb getting through a number of people you have to battle to get into a legal and registered bus, or a packed MRT. If authorities were stricter with colorum vehicles, they should provide better transportation. Dear LTFRB, ever wonder why people prefer “illegal” means of transportation more?

Illegal terminals

Another one of the reasons why there’s never ending traffic in the world. Illegal terminals pop up in roads where a lot of passengers and vehicles alike converge. Even if authorities manage to close one down, operators will find a way to open their business again and serve the public. The government should be thankful! These illegal businesses are doing their job for them in providing the Filipinos better transportation!

Choosy cab drivers

Ever since the issue between ride sharing apps and LTFRB erupted and people were struck with the reality that our beloved Ubers and Grabs might be banned, netizens took to Facebook to explain their experience riding taxis. Before Uber and Grab, we would endure multiple cabs rejecting us just because our destination is “too far” or the way is “too traffic.” Cabbies would also haggle upfront with passengers saying that they can disregard the meter as long as there’s an agreement on an amount. Hello? We took cabs for the convenience of transportation, if cabs were nicer looking or better smelling, there’s a tiny chance of agreeing with their price. And if we wanted to haggle we would’ve gone to Divisoria where we could’ve benefited more.

These passengers would contact LTFRB and report the case – they’re not even looking for compensation, just informing the Bureau that there’s such a thing happening on the roads. But nothing even happens. Is the number of complaints too much to handle that the LTFRB ignores this case? And they wonder why we prefer Grab and Uber over taxis.

The Filipino people deserve better. It’s us who work our asses off just to earn money. It’s us who battle traffic everyday just to get home and repeat everything again the next day.  Right now, we can’t predict a favorable conclusion to this situation, but by all means, let’s hope against hope.

What are your thoughts on this whole debacle? Share it with us below!