Officials in Tagbilaran, Philippines are enforcing a 20-year-old law that requires all taxi drivers to display a unique Bible verse on the back of their vehicles.

Authorities say the effort is an attempt at crime reduction, and to publicise the spirituality of the city's citizens.

"This is the only city in the Philippines that has such an ordinance," Samuel Belderol explained, according to Assist News.

Belderol issues taxi licenses at Tagbilaran City Hall.

He continued: "We want the world to know that we are a God-fearing city and that these Bible verses help us draw closer to God."

Taxi drivers are assigned a Bible verse that must be displayed at all times. Violation of the ordinance can result in a fine or license revocation.

"We only issue 3,000 licenses every year and each one must have a unique verse on it, no duplicate verses allowed," Belderol said.

Buala Siongiex has been painting verses on motorcycles since the law's inception, and recounted a time when crass graffiti covered the taxis.

"Years ago people used to paint obscene messages and images on their tricycles, but the city ordinance changed that," she told Christian News.

"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."

Councilwoman Lucile Lagunay confirmed that the Bible verses have made a positive impact on the city.

"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," she explained. "Everyday commuters get to see the biblical message on the tricycles and who want to think of crime when they see biblical passages everywhere."

According to the BBC, 81 per cent of Filipinos define themselves as Catholic.