MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday welcomed the initiative of the two-member Pencil Rocket team, who developed the free application Taxikick.

The new app allows passengers to report erring taxi drivers. These reports will then be emailed to the LTFRB and the Metro Manila Development Authority at the end of each day.

On Wednesday morning, the app's developers, Jefferson Rosende and Benedict Aluan, went to the LTFRB office to personally present Taxikick to the agency.

The two IT graduates said they developed the app since they too have had bad experiences with taxi drivers.

LTFRB chairman Jaime Jacob, however, suggested that Taxikick should provide details about the complainants, who should also attend hearings to press their case against the erring cab drivers.

"Maraming di naaaksyunan dahil wala ang complainant, so your presence is badly needed," Jacob said.

Taxi operators, meanwhile, said they too want to attend such meetings to hear out the complaints as these would also help them in cleaning their ranks.

But taxi drivers are not too thrilled with the app.

Cab drivers argue that such complaints are best resolved face to face and not through mobile communication.

"Gusto ko harapan silang magreklamo para magkakaalaman," said taxi driver Romeo Manuel.

Saying that not all cab drivers are abusive, they also aired concern that the app might be used to unjustly malign them and their cab companies.

As of January 2, Taxikick has received a total of 120 reports, according to Aluan. The app was launched on December 19.

So far, one of the most serious reports they got was of a driver's attempted assault of a passenger, he said. -- Report from Alex Santos, ABS-CBN News