Taxi in Metro Manila

History
Taxicabs where already in use in the 1970s and 1980s, with the Isuzu Gemini being the most prominent model. Since the boom of the automotive industry after the ousting of then-president Ferdinand Marcos in the mid-1980s, more models were seen on the road. Models included the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Mitsubishi Lancer, Daewoo Racer, Hyundai Excel, Kia Pride and Mazda 323. In the late 1990s, taxi fleets started to use Asian Utility Vehicles (AUV) and vans such as the Isuzu Hilander, Mitsubishi Adventure, Toyota Revo/Toyota Tamaraw FX, Nissan Urvan, Toyota Hiace, Mitsubishi L300, and Kia Pregio - not just because they were cheap to maintain but they offered large seating capacity and offered versatility. Currently, there are scores of taxicab choices, which include the Toyota Vios, Toyota Avanza, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent (Diesel version), and Hyundai Starex.

Regulation
Taxis during the 1990s did not have a color coding system but in 2001, LTFRB mandated that all taxicabs should be white. Some taxicab companies, however, still use their own colors to distinguish their units while keeping the roof and pillars white. Airport taxis, on the other hand, are yellow. A taxicab has a maximum operational lifespan of 10 years before being pulled out of service.
Each taxicab has its license plate number printed on both quarter panels. The rear of the car has the telephone numbers of the taxicab company and the LTFRB printed to report any reckless driving.

Areas where taxis are used
Aside from Metro Manila, taxicabs are evident in Baguio City, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Davao City, Iligan City, General Santos, Tacloban City and some parts of the country.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_of_the_Philippines