The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to intensify its operations against “colorum” or unregistered vehicles after apprehending 252 vehicles in June.
In a statement on Monday, LTO Executive Director Greg Pua noted the positive feedback regarding the LTO’s anti-colorum drive, particularly since they began impounding unregistered vehicles and bringing drivers and operators to court.
“Dalawang bagay lang ito (It could be one of two things): either we are successful in discouraging operators of colorum vehicles from engaging in their illegal activity, or they are finding ways to elude arrest,” Pua remarked.
A recent LTO memorandum has strengthened the anti-colorum initiative by requiring a court order for the release of impounded colorum vehicles, even if the penalty has been paid.
Pua emphasized the importance of public cooperation in combating colorum vehicles, encouraging citizens to upload videos or photos of violators on social media.
“Malaking papel ang ginagampanan ng ating mga netizens sa disiplina sa kalsada. Marami na tayong na-suspend at na-revoke na lisensya dahil sa mga viral posts and we appreciate and express gratitude for that (Netizens play a great role in instilling discipline among motorists. We have suspended and revoked many licenses because of viral posts, and we thank them for that),” he added.
He also warned against using the services of colorum public utility vehicles (PUVs), as these vehicles are not insured, which means passengers would have to bear their expenses in the event of an accident.
In contrast, registered PUVs are insured for up to PHP400,000 in case of death and PHP100,000 for injuries.
According to the LTO, legitimate PUV operators are losing approximately 30 percent of their daily income to colorum vehicles, prompting the government to address the issue through the LTO’s anti-colorum operations.