Tagbilaran, a city in the Philippines, requires all of its taxi drivers to display verses from the Scripture on the back of their vehicles, because the local administration believes that it will help curb crime. Even though this law has been in effect for the past two decades in this particular Filipino city, local administration has suddenly decided to enforce the requirement.
“This is the only city in the Philippines that has such an ordinance,” said Samuel Belderol, who issues taxi licenses at city hall. “We want the world to know that we are a God-fearing city and that these Bible verses help us draw closer to God. … We only issue 3,000 licenses every year and each one must have a unique verse on it, no duplicate verses allowed.
Belderol also explained that each of the taxi drivers are designated a particular verse; they cannot decide which Scripture to display and which not to. Those that do not agree to display the Scripture on their taxis may be fined a hefty amount or even have their licenses revoked.
According to Lucile Lagunay, a city council member, the verses have helped change the general atmosphere of the city and also reduced Tagbilaran’s crime rate.
“With a Biblical message at the back of the units, commuters get to see the message every day and it helps in way to preserve the peace in our city,” said Lagunay. “Everyday commuters get to see the biblical message on the tricycles and who want to think of crime when they see biblical passages everywhere.”
Buala Siongiex, who has been painting religious verses on taxis for more than 20 years, said people used to earlier display obscene messages on their taxis but a city ordinance brought an end to that.
“Now when you read the word of God you can't help but feel alive; even a little bit of God's word makes you happy,” she said.
The majority of people living in the Philippines are Roman Catholic, with an estimated 2.8 percent claiming to be Evangelical while the remaining is either Baptist or Pentecostal. It is unclear how this law was passed or who was responsible for its passage.
Photo Credits: Christian News
