THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) will coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in strengthening the conduct of aggressive campaigns against colorum public utility vehicles (PUVs) across the country.
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II said the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and the territorial units of the PNP will be an essential manpower to further boost the anti-colorum drive amid the complaints of the transport groups that they have been losing 30 percent of their income from illegal operations of colorum PUVs.
“Matagal na itong reklamong ito ng ating mga kapatid sa transport sector kaya tayo ay hihingi ng tulong sa ating PNP upang madagdagan ang ating puwersa para matigil na ang iligal na operasyon ng mga taong nasa likod nito,” said Mendoza.
In a recent meeting with LTO top officials, Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista was elated with the series of successful operations of the LTO under the leadership of Mendoza in running after colorum PUVs, particularly in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
Bautista emphasized the need to sustain the operations as a way of assisting the transport groups recover their losses from the PUV colorum operations.
“I know si Assec Vigor already implemented many programs tungkol dito, dapat nating ipagpatuloy yung enforcement, para mahuli yung mga colorum operators, kawawa naman yung mga legitimate transport operators, gastos ng malaki pero hindi nila magenerate yung revenue na dapat sa kanila dahil sa operations ng colorum.
“Through our effort, we can make their business profitable and sustainable,” he added.
Mendoza earlier ordered all Regional Directors to intensify the campaign against colorum PUVs in their respective areas, which resulted in the apprehension of colorum vehicles.
Mendoza also initiated dialogues with transport groups, which in turn, have committed to deploy volunteers as mystery driver of colorum PUVs in order to ensure that the crackdown would not result in extortion activities.
As a result, at least six LTO enforcers were sacked from their posts and are now being investigated for extortion activities.
“Habang magiging agresibo ang kampanya natin sa mga colorum na pampublikong sasakyan, titiyakin din natin that this being enforced properly and with integrity on the ground,” said Mendoza.
About the Author
