DOTC: 'Oplan Isnabero' drive vs cab drivers to continue after Christmas

After the successful implementation of its "Oplan Isnabero" drive against taxi drivers, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) vowed to sustain the program even after Christmas, at least in Metro Manila. DOTC undersecretary and spokesman Dante Velasco said they plan to make the drive against abusive public utility drivers a year-round effort. “Pagkatapos ng Pasko at Bagong Taon, tuloy sa 2011, itutuloy natin ito (After Christmas and the New Year, we will sustain this program. We will continue it)," he said in an interview on dwIZ radio. Under the "Oplan Isnabero" program, first implemented during the second week of December, authorities go after abusive "isnabero" (snobbish) drivers who:

refuse convey passengers, or

refuse to use their taxi meters. The guilty drivers will be slapped with a fine of P1,500 and a two-month suspension of their drivers' licenses. The DOTC hotline numbers for reporting “Abusadong Taxi Drivers" (Abusive Taxi Drivers) are:

7890

0917 247 0385

0919 222 7462

Velasco said the drive against abusive public utility drivers is a joint effort of the DOTC’s Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Under the program, he said the LTO and LTFRB will randomly patrol main thoroughfares in Metro Manila, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and major malls. The teams would allow television news crews to tag along, he said. As of last week, Velasco said the patrols have caught at least nine violators. “Doon tini-tiketan na, on the spot. Hindi na pwedeng tanggihan ng abusive driver na may ginawa siya (The abusive drivers are issued tickets on the spot. They will not have a chance to deny their offenses)," he said. – VVP, GMANews.TV