After the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducted the dry run of provincial bus ban on EDSA, several netizens has thrown in their suggestions on how to solve severe traffic.

Facebook page Waterdiet suggests giving more space to public utility vehicles (PUV).

Another netizen, Louwie Gan suggested banning private cars during rush hours instead of banning provincial buses.

Meanwhile, EDSA traffic chief Bong Nebrija said they are open to suggestions for solving severe traffic in Metro Manila.

“We need to conceptualize this based on our setting proposed this to the policy makers get it approved and get it funded then we implement it,” he said.—AAC (with reports from Mon Jocson)

17-year-old Paul Timothy Sabado is a graphic design student and has just started doing pixel art in May this year.

From soaked shoes to the warmth of a lugawan house, his most recent work pictured what it’s like in the Philippines during rainy season. He has put intricate details for every scene.

“Although rainy season seems bad in the Philippines there’s always a good view for it to be beautiful and pleasing that most of us don’t seem to see,” he said in an interview.

According to Paul, he made a series of artworks on Twitter entitled ‘Ulan’ and compiled it into one video.—AAC

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that the person who was seen in a video driving a car on a public road while sitting in the passenger seat will be summoned to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday afternoon.

In a video posted and shared on social media, the person was seen driving a vehicle in daytime traffic from the passenger seat while smoking and fiddling with its horn.

He can also be heard bragging about his violation in the video.

“Basta lahat ng bawal ginagawa ko, napakatraffic talaga sa Maynila, doon sa mundo namin walang ganito. Dito, lahat bawal, doon walang bawal (beep) siya yun!” the guy said.

The video was originally posted on the Facebook account of a certain Miko Lopez last May 25 with a caption “ngayon mo ko hulihin kuya.”

It was shared on social media group “JDM Tayo Paps” by Facebook user Axel Farinas which drew criticisms from internet users.

But instead of showing remorse, Lopez even taunted his critics to do something about it if they can, based on their exchanges in the comment section of the video.

He even posted a photo about driving a car without a steering wheel to ridicule his attackers.

A netizen who got peeved with Lopez brought the matter to the attention of the authorities.

In a post on Twitter, the DOTr confirmed that the man in the video was identified as Miko Lopez and that he will be summoned to answer the issue.

“Miko Lopez will be summoned to LTO today. He has already been identified and address was already determined,” the DOTr said.

“The LTO will charge him for reckless driving, illegal modification (removing the steering wheel), not wearing seatbelt, and improper person to operate a motor vehicle,” the agency added.

The DOTr further stated that Lopez’s license will be revoked and he will also be disqualified from applying for a driver’s license again in the future.

“If he does not appear, LTO will resolve this issue on the basis of evidence presented,” the DOTr added.

In a separate statement, LTO executive director Romeo Vera Cruz chastised Lopez’s antics, saying this poses a danger to himself and other people.

“This video is clear proof that he is an improper person to operate a vehicle, aside from committing traffic violations,” he said.

DOTr Undersecretary for road transport Mark de Leon, meanwhile, said that this incident should serve as a stern warning and called on the public to report this kind of violation to merit swift action.

“Huwag nating i-mock ang kakayanan ng gobyerno by clearly disobeying traffic rules. Nakaligtas ka man noong oras na ginawa mo ‘yan, we will make sure you will get penalized,” he added. (with details from Joan Nano)