The Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) has reminded drivers of taxis, public utility jeepneys (PUJ), and motorized tricycles for hire (MTHs) anew that they should have a CTTMO-issued Public Utility Vehicle Identification card (PUV ID).
In a presentation delivered during the recently concluded taxi operators’ forum on May 3, CTTMO Head, Dionisio Abude cited the Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code of the city in emphasizing the importance of the PUV ID to drivers.
Based on the ordinance, Abude said that PUV drivers must have a CTTMO-issued PUV ID with a franchise before plying along Davao City roads and highways.
The PUV ID should also be displayed so passengers can easily see it inside the vehicle.
Abude also said that drivers need to undergo a seminar on road safety, and traffic rules and regulations before they can acquire the PUV ID.
“Usa man gyud ni nga requirements nga dapat ang driver sa taxi ug sa PUJ, ug sa Motorized Tricycle for Hire is naa gyud sila’y issued nga PUV ID gikan sa City Transport and Traffic Management Office nga diin bago sila una matagaan ani is dapat mo-undergo pa sila og seminar para makabalo sila kadtong sa road safety, traffic rules and regulations, katong 4136 kay para ma-aware sila, para disiplinado diha sila sa karsada [One of the requirements for taxi, PUJ, and Motorized Tricycle for Hire drivers is the PUV ID issued by the City Transport and Traffic Management Office . Before they can acquire the PUV ID, drivers need to undergo a seminar on road safety, the city’s traffic rules and regulations, as well as on RA 4136 so that they will be aware, and be able to practice discipline on the streets],” Abude said.
The PUV ID and the seminar are both free. According to Abude, the drivers only have to have the ID laminated and display it inside their vehicles.
The PUV ID has a QR code feature that passengers may scan. Once scanned, passengers are redirected to the CTTMO’s database containing the information of the driver, including his picture, name, and other necessary information. A portion is also left for passengers to leave their comments and suggestions. Passengers may also opt to leave their cellphone numbers so that the CTTMO can reach out to them for updates on their concerns.
According to Abude, the PUV ID also has unique control numbers assigned to every driver. Once enforcers scan the QR code, the authenticity of the ID can be checked as they are redirected to the office’s system where the pending violations of a driver are listed. The QR Code will also allow enforcers to verify whether or not the owner of the ID and the driver are the same person.
Abude reminds PUV drivers to always display their IDs inside their vehicles, and the possession of fake PUV IDs is prohibited and subject to the filing of a criminal case in violation of the Revised Penal Code. CIO
