Pursuant to the regulatory powers of the Board and in view of the calibration and resealing of taximeters, all taxi and mega-taxi operators are required to equip their units with functioning toplights, which should be lighted after dark whenever the unit is vacant and available to the public.  As soon as the unit is hired or engaged, the toplight must be turned off.

In addition, it is also required that the units shall be provided with signs "ON CALL" and "OFF-DUTY" to be displayed at the windshield when the unit is "on call" or "off-duty".  The driver, whose unit is "on call" or "off-duty", is allowed to refuse to pick-up passengers.  The size of the signs "on call" and "off-duty" shall be 6 x 3 inches (height and width) lettering.

Any operator found for violation of this Circular shall be subject to a penalty in the amount of One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) for the first offense; Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00) for the second offense; and Three Thousand Pesos (P3,000.00) and/or cancellation of the franchise for the third offense at the sole discretion of the Board.

All other issuances or parts hereof, which are inconsistent herewith, are therefore modified or superseded accordingly.

This Circular shall take effect immediately following the filing of three (3) certified copies hereof with the UP Law Center, pursuant to Presidential Memorandum Circular No. 11, dated 09 October 1992.

SO ORDERED.

Adopted: 18 Nov. 2004


(SGD.) MARIA ELENA H. BAUTISTA
Chairperson

(SGD.) FELIX S. RACADIO
Board Member