Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos warned that hefty fines as high as P1 million await colorum operators even as the government vowed to intensify its campaign against unauthorized public transport vehicles to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

This, as a memorandum of agreement was signed by the DILG with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), for the creation of a Joint Task Force (JTF) that would address traffic concerns and tackle colorum operations in the National Capital Region.

“Napakalaki po nito, napakabigat po. Kaya warning na lang po, kung may colorum vehicles kayo, huwag na po kayong lumabas. Dahil siguradong mahuhuli kayo, mai-impound (ang inyong mga sasakyan). At ito ay sinasabi mismo ng batas. And we have to implement the law,” he said.

He continued that the JTF follows President Marcos’ instruction to the DILG to lead in solving the issue of colorum operations and address the concern raised by transport groups during the town hall meeting last April 10.

The JTF likewise will conduct road-clearing operations, and enhance traffic management and enforcement efforts within Metro Manila, while member-agencies will have the authority to issue notices of violations and/or citation tickets as appropriate, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

Abalos emphasized that the synergized effort of DILG, MMDA, and DOTr, all mandated to promote public safety, maintain peace and order, and ensure the efficient flow of traffic, is beneficial and effective in addressing pressing traffic concerns, including colorum vehicles.

He related that the said cooperation among the three agencies led to the apprehension of 56 colorum passenger operations, 44 out-of-line operations, impounded 100 units to date, and arrested three persons in total.

To recall, Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 specified the fines and penalties for violations of policies governing land transportation, for first offense of colorum violation, buses shall be fined P1million; vans and trucks with P200,000; sedan vehicles with P120,000; and, P50,000 for jeepneys.

Meanwhile, 2nd offense shall correspond to the revocation of the Certificate of Public Convenience; disqualification of the operator; blacklisting of all authorized units of the operator; and, revocation of the registration of all authorized units of the operator.

Abalos said that in accordance with the order of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., colorum vehicles, which are contributors to the heavy traffic in Metro Manila, must be removed from the streets.

“Ang mga colorum na ito ang siyang nagpapadami ng mga sasakyan. Kaya ang utos po sa amin ng Pangulo ay gawin namin ang lahat upang maibsan namin ang traffic dito [Metro Manila],” he explained.

The MOA signing was attended by PNP Chief P/BGen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, and officials and staff from DILG, DOTr, MMDA and PNP, among others.

Original Article at: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/Abalos-warns-fines-up-to-P1-M-await-colorum-operators/NC-2024-1078