MMDA creates hotline to prevent taxi robberies

MANILA, Philippines – Anticipating an increase in the number of crimes committed in taxicabs with the onset of the Christmas season, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has introduced a hotline for its “Trip Tracker” project.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said passengers of taxicabs who feel they are about to be robbed can send a text message to “9988.”

“The MMDA will post stickers bearing this new number inside the taxis and other public utility vehicles such as buses and jeepneys as well as common areas like malls and taxi stands to boost public awareness,” Fernando said.

He said that as a passenger boards a taxicab, he just has to text the plate number and name of the cab to “9988.” Passengers can also report all types of traffic violations and abusive drivers through this number.

A system solely intended for this project has been set up by the MMDA Communications and Command Center, with text messages sent automatically transmitted to the computer for processing by the agency’s personnel. This system is also connected to the Philippine National Police and the Land Transportation Office.

Fernando said all text messages received are stored in the command center’s database and can be retrieved for reference purposes, specifically for cases that need intervention and action from police authorities or other government agencies.

“The project is the agency’s response to growing complaints from the public, particularly women and balikbayans, who are the common victims of erring cab drivers. This way, drivers and operators can be held liable for any untoward incident that might happen to their passengers,” Fernando said.  – Mike Frialde, Philippine Star