MANILA PHILIPPINES – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has added more teeth in the nationwide anti-colorum campaign by ensuring that impounded vehicles will not be released despite payment of fines by the registered owner.
According to LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II the impounded colorum vehicles will only be released through a court order.
“Masyado nang matagal at malalim ang problema sa iligal na operasyon ng colorum vehicles sa ating bansa. Kailangan na nating magpatupad ng mas mabigat na kaparusahan tungkol dito upang maipakita sa mga taong patuloy na nilalabag ang batas na seryoso ang ating pamahalaan upang tapusin ang modus nila,” said Asec Mendoza.
LTO says some transport groups have been complaining that they are losing 30% of their income daily due to the operation of colorum vehicles.
A colorum is a private vehicle that is acting like a public utility vehicle (PUV), usually for the purpose of earning money, without complying with legal requirements.
While colorum vehicles are usually found in remote areas and the provinces, reports revealed that the number of colorum vehicles in Metro Manila and nearby areas have increased in the past.
“Simple lang po ito: May mga regulasyon patungkol sa operation ng public utility vehicles. Kung hindi po ito sinunod, maliwanag na iligal po ang operasyon nito and this is equivalent to committing a crime. Kaya may karampatang parusa at multa dito,” Mendoza stated.
‘At kasama sa parusa dito ay ang pagpapatupad natin ng no release policy for all vehicles that would be impounded in anti-colorum operations,” he added.
In a memorandum issued to all Regional Directors, District Office heads and chiefs of LTO units, Assec Mendoza explained that criminal cases must be immediately filed in every successful anti-colorum operation.