The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has vowed to run after colorum public utility vehicles (PUVs) and even school service vehicles in a renewed crackdown following the order issued by Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.
LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said he already directed all regional directors of the agency to deploy as many of its enforcement teams that would conduct operations on colorum vehicles, or those illegally operating PUVs and school service vehicles.
“This has long been a problem that requires attention and sustained operations to ensure that only those granted with permits could operate. The life of the commuters are at risk if we would not focus on these colorum vehicles,” said Mendoza.
“So I have directed regional and district offices of the LTO to heighten measures and operations against these out-of-line public utility vehicles and those operating school services without necessary permits,” he added.
Mendoza explained that the operation of colorum PUV vehicles does not only affect the income of legitimate drivers and operators but also poses a threat to the riding public due to the road worthiness parameters that are not checked and usually not complied with by those illegally-operating them.
He said anti-colorum operations would cover bus terminals across the country, as well as those illegally operating as school services.
Part of Mendoza’s order is for LTO regional directors to coordinate with other government agencies especially the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine National Police, through its Highway Patrol Group and territorial forces.
“We are taking the problem of colorum very seriously. That is why we will partner with other government agencies so that we can once and for all stop their illegal operations,” said Mendoza.