They say that for the most part, provincial buses contribute to the worsening traffic situation in…read moreMetro Manila. It used to be the case that buses from the south, i.e. Cavite (plying the routes of Tagaytay, Dasmarinas, Cavite City and Trese Martires) would go all the way to the city center of Lawton in Manila, and cause major traffic especially during the rush hour. A few years ago, MMDA came up with a brilliant plan to prevent buses from clogging up our streets - they set up the South West Integrated Provincial Transport Terminal as a hub for provincial buses. If you need to take a trip to one of the cities mentioned above, you would need to head down to the old Coastal Mall to catch your bus. What's great is that the buses are more organized and systematic here, and you can easily catch a scheduled bus to any of the key points in the route sytem. This is where my friends and I would usually catch a bus on the way to Tagaytay. The bus terminal is still very crowded and it could get busy, but it's a good start.

Every couple of years, I dread having to renew my license mostly because the renewal centers are…read moreusually hot, have long lines and are in the most random places. So when a colleague of mine told me how fast it took her to renew her license, I made sure I headed there when it was time for me to renew mine. Parking: big check. Because it's located along the row of auto shops with several parking areas in front of it, it was so easy to get secure parking. No need to suck-up to the watch-your-car boys and worry if they'll still be there watching out for your car when you go back two hours after. Ventilation: double check. The renewal center is in an enclosed area, so I was hoping there would at least be wall fans inside. Lucky me, there was air-conditioning and it was actually working (not like in other government offices, sad to say). Absence of a line: bold check. Uh, when I entered, it was just me and two more guys in there at 2:30 in the afternoon. Service: golden check. The flow was so efficient, with the windows and steps actually one after the other. The staff were pleasant and courteous. I was out of there in 20 minutes tops. If this is how I'll renew my license every time, well, I wouldn't be dreading it at all.

I have only been to the LTO on two separate occasions - to buy a student's permit, and to apply for…read moremy driver's license. I honestly hope that I never have to go this particular branch again though, because it was absolutely unbearable. Going to any government office to procure documents is an unpleasant task as it is...blah. I woke up at 6AM (I know some of you are already thinking, "Not early enough!") to get there by 7AM, an hour before opening. The line was already insanely long, making its way outside the government office. For my student's permit, I ended up staying from 8AM - 1PM, which isn't as bad as most of the horror stories I hear from my friends, but for my driver's license, I ended up staying there from 6:30AM - 4PM, and I was part of the 2nd out of only 3 batches of people they were issuing licenses to that day (talk about lucky!). The only things good I have to say are that the staff are very patient with rude patrons, and they try to make things easier for you. There are a bunch of places outside where you can have documents photocopied, and a restaurant across the street too.

Doing any government errand is never fun, and anyone with a drivers' license will know this to be…read moreespecially true. I had to renew my license, came to Farmers Plaza where I knew the renewal center to be, and found out it was closed to my dismay. The government centers at Ali Mall weren't up yet, so I had retreated back home and looked for the nearest place to get the shiznit over and done with. And I found the one at Robinsons Galleria, which wasn't too far off, and I figured there wouldn't be too many people at Galleria on a weekday, so I went. Surprisingly, when I got to the LTO, there were only a couple of people there--I wasn't sure whether to be pleased or afraid. The place was small and narrow and gloomy compared to the one that used to be in Farmers, and that was full the few times I was there. It turned out it was a pretty smooth course of filling out forms, taking eye exams, and a quick wait to get everything processed and receive the license on the same day. The staff were straightforward, but pleasant and were even having a ball during their lunch break! And I didn't even need to piss into a cup for a drug test! Not that I'll be afraid for the results, of course. I'm not sure that I lucked into a good day for a license renewal, but if the Ali Mall center doesn't pan out too well the next time I need to get the errand done, I'll be doing it in the Galleria for sure.

I always pass by the Coastal Mall Terminal on my way home and I notice the buses going to Cavite…read moreand Batangas - yes, this terminal is meant for provincial routes. It would really be convenient if there were also buses bound for Las Piñas (and also Sucat, for those living there), so that those of us who rode a bus from Edsa need not walk through the terminal and cross the overpass to get to the other side of the road where we could ride the bus going home. In any case, though, this one-stop terminal for those going to Cavite or Batangas is definitely convenient. They have some food stalls, though, and even a tiangge. I noted many stalls selling nice clothes. Some even sell household items and decorations. The terminal is at least well-lighted enough so that even when I go home late and pass by this terminal to walk up the overpass, I feel safe enough.

Consider the Coastal Mall Terminal your gateway to all that the south has to offer. Home to a…read morenumber of bus lines like Jam And San Agustin, its an easy jump off point if you want to head out to say Mt. Pico de Loro or Mt. Batulao, both of which are in Batangas. Unlike other bus stations, the buses here run or regular schedules (hourly schedules) so most of the trips these buses take aren't express. The terminals are labeled properly so it's easy enough to find the bus you need to get on. If you're unsure, simply ask one of yhe conductors and they will graciously point you to the right terminal and bus. While waiting, there's an ample waiting shed and the terminal is equipped with wifi if you can believe that! It's a pretty busy station so food concessionaires are not in short supply. Have a go at experiencing the south side and drop by this terminal for your next adventure.

Gone are the days when people would hear the name Las Pinas and they would think Bamboo Organ or…read moreclean and green. Instead now all they could say to describe our city was that there's heavy traffic. It's true; even I complain about it sometimes. But why are we Las Pineros still so chill despite the situation in our main roads? Our little secret: the Friendship Route. This enables Las Pinas residents to pass through over 50 private villages and establishments in the city as an alternative to the Alabang-Zapote road. It also serves grants us quicker access to neighboring cities like Paranaque and Muntinlupa. It's not that easy to get a Friendship Route Sticker though, because the city government doesn't issue stickers to non-residents, and they don't release stickers every year. Some people replicate the stickers and sell them, but you have to be cautious when you resort to that. You can still pass by some routes without the sticker, but you need to pay a fee (ranging from 5 to 20 pesos) to the village guards to let you in. Some people don't mind paying, as long as they can avoid the very congested Alabang-Zapote road. It cuts down at least 20 minutes of travel time. I've lived in Las Pinas almost my entire life and I cannot imagine traveling to this place without the Friendship Route.

Sad to say all your contact numbers are just ringing, WALA PONG SUMASAGOT SA LAHAT NG PUBLSIHED…read moreNUBERS NYO EXCEPT BARANGAY PROGRESO...I need to follow up payment for training conducted last week of October...sabi sa Treasury ...a SJ City Ha ll me employee gave a number which again sad to say...WALA PON NASAGOT! hope your improve this aspect of your service

I have had too many bad experiences in different city halls (QC, Makati and Mandaluyong, to be…read morespecific) so I was extremely surprised when I arrived at the San Juan City Hall. The city hall can easily been seen from Pinaglabanan Street. It is also not difficult to park here since there is ample space provided for vehicles. Since they had just moved to this location, everything looks clean and new. The facade alone already looks welcoming and inviting. Upon entering, there is a reception desk with 2-3 employees ready to assist those who approach them. The lady I spoke to quickly directed me to the windows I needed to go to. I love how the building is well-lit and airy. It did not feel cramped or dirty like other city halls. They also have specific windows with proper numbers and labels for specific needs (i.e. a specific window for getting your cedula, another window for property tax, another window for barangay clearance, etc.). Another plus is that you can pay for what you need at that specific window. No need to go to a centralized cashier and go back to the previous window. This saved me so much time! I went there to get my cedula (CTC) and to pay property tax and I was out of there in 15 minutes! Their staff were efficient and did not dare ask for any money beyond what I had to pay for. (BIG disapointment in other city halls!!!) Another big plus for them was their well-kept restrooms. I have never been to a government office with an extremely clean restroom. ;) Kudos to their janitors who maintain them! I was so thrilled with my experience here that I no longer dread having to go back after a year for my annual errands. I really hope they maintain this and act as a model for other city halls as well.

This place is very helpful. Processed my renewal very efficient. Rare service that you usually…read moredon't find in Government offices in Manila alone. Their customer service is great. More LTO offices and other Government services should follow their ways. Thank you!