With the Christmas rush now in full swing, the Land Transportation Office is stepping up to protect commuters at a time when public transport becomes its most chaotic. LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao warned taxi drivers on Wednesday that refusing passengers, negotiating โkontrataโ fares, or demanding payments beyond the meter will not be tolerated โ especially in malls and terminals where incidents spike every December.
Lacanilao urged commuters to report any abusive behavior immediately, noting that the LTO is rolling out targeted operations to catch violators in real time. Undercover personnel have already been deployed to monitor taxi lines, validate complaints, and flag operators who exploit holiday congestion. All reports sent through the official LTO Facebook page, monitored round-the-clock, will be acted on, he assured.
To strengthen on-ground visibility, the agency is also deploying a mobile command center to North and South Luzon to help monitor traffic, coordinate enforcement teams, and respond faster to violations โ all at no additional cost to the government. According to Lacanilao, this hub will anchor field teams during the busiest travel days of the season as more families head to malls, terminals, and provincial bus stations.
And ahead of the massive holiday exodus, the LTO is launching its new K9 unit, set to roam major bus stations across Metro Manila. These trained dogs will help detect illegal substances and dangerous items hidden in baggage, offering another layer of protection for travelers heading home for Christmas. โOur goal is simple,โ Lacanilao said. โPasahero muna โ especially this holiday season.โ
Image from LTO