Comments on: How to Drive Safely in the Philippines

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:20:32 +0000

Jan,
Since I do not live in Manila or even Luzon, I have no need, but thanks for the info.

By: jan

jan — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:51:12 +0000

As far as I know there's a GPS available, but only for the Manila Region. You should check MapKing at here As far as I know it costs about 25 US$ to get the software +map of Manila. But you still need a pocket computer or other device and a gps receiver. I still have a cracked version of it, but that one is already a few years old and I have never used it in the Philippines because my pocket computer cannot stand the heat from the sun and gets over heated, even with the aircon on.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:44:47 +0000

Jan,
As I said, you need to be defensively aggressive. You have to push in but watch for those that will not give way.
I have heard the foreigner always loses when it comes to the laws. Best is to be careful and make friends in high places too.

By: jan

jan — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:26:29 +0000

Hello Bruce,
Driving safely in the Philippines can be done as long as you have a lot of time and give all other traffic the right of way
I’m driving in Manila and surroundings and have adjusted already to the way Filipinos drive. Sometimes I’m getting also too agressive. Most aggressive drivers are the busses and taxis, but also jeeps and trucks. Those drivers are not the owners of the vehicle and they don’t care if they make accidents. They also feel stronger because their cars are bigger than the average private car.
As a foreigner you are almost always wrong if something happens. Police is favoring their countrymen against foreigners. I’ve had only one small accident recently with minor damage on my car. I hope I won’t have any more.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:04:52 +0000

Ray,
I do not know about Manila but you cannot even get a decent map of Davao. I think GPS here is just Government Political System, and no comments about that. hahaha

By: Ray

Ray — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:29:16 +0000

Speaking of where you need to turn any GPS available there?

By: Bruce

Bruce — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:37:26 +0000

Julie,
Fortunately or unfortunately TMC has no powers now except to direct traffic at intersections. They took their ability to write tickets probably because of corruption. And LTO has too few men to watch the roads.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:03:13 +0000

yah your right sir bruce, it really depends on the attitude of the person involve whether he’ll follow or not. i think, the traffic management should find solutions about this problem.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:47:16 +0000

Julie,
Driving careful, patient and obeying traffic rules is nonexistent in the Philippines just as courtesy and consideration does not ever happen here either.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:32:27 +0000

sir bruce, careful driving is needed at all times.
driver should be patient and should obey traffic rules.