BY NOW, cab drivers should be complying with rules on the issuance of receipts to passengers.

Transportation and Communication Regional Director Federico Mandapat Jr. urged commuters who are not issued receipts to file formal complaints. He reminded taxi drivers are now obliged to issue official receipts.

Receipts could either be manually issued or electronically printed, Mandapat said, adding that the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has not decided when to phase out the manual system.

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In the meantime, he said both receipts are valid.

The LTFRB allowed the use of manual receipts in response to clamor from drivers who begged for time to recoup expenses from the recent calibration of their meters.

The new meters, which issue electronic receipts, cost P12,000.

Mandapat deduced the LTFRB might issue a resolution early next year. By this time, he said the affected drivers would have enough savings for the conversion of their old meters.

In urging the public to file complaints for violations of this directive, Mandapat asked this should be done formally. He said the DOTC entertains complaints coursed through text messages but said complaints sent through text should be followed up via the filing of a verified complaint.

A formal complaint, he said, gives the respondent a chance to answer allegations. "Due process has to be followed," the director iterated.

Issuance of receipts started last August.

Issuance of receipts is one way of monitoring the income derived by the transport sector by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The BIR projects it could raise an additional P1.2 billion with the issuance of metered receipts.

As of June 2006, 47,000 taxis are registered with the LTFRB nationwide.

Information contained in the receipt includes the driver's contact and plate numbers, pick-up and drop off points and the amount to be paid. (Rimaliza Opiña)