Aside from these agencies, the task force will also be joined by the Special Project Group of the Philippine National Police under the DILG to complement coordination efforts in the conduct of traffic, clearing, and other anti-colorum operations within Metro Manila.
In particular, the joint task force will be primarily responsible for the determination of transportation violations and the issuance of the corresponding violation or citation tickets.
“Sa pagsasanib-puwersa ng tatlong ahensiya, kasama ang PNP, mas mapapalawak pa ang operasyon kontra colorum. Asahan ninyo ang mas pinaigting na panghuhuli sa loob ng mas maikling panahon,” said MMDA Acting Chairperson Atty. Don Artes, citing that the task force will also help prevent the instances of harassment from violators.
(Through the joint cooperation of the three agencies together with the PNP, anti-colorum operations will be intensified. Expect a stricter imposition of penalty to violators in a shorter period of time.)
For his part, DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. specified the significant contribution of the task force in ensuring a more efficient and orderly apprehension of violators.
“This is an effective collaboration with the DILG, MMDA, DOTr, and the PNP. Given the number of apprehensions for just a period of one month, we can probably yield more than 1000 colorum vehicle apprehensions for a year,” said Abalos.
Meanwhile, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista highlighted the benefit of an intensified anti-colorum campaign in supporting the advancement of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) and resolving the traffic congestion in urban areas.
“Through this partnership, we can help those who are operating legally who claim to lose 35 percent of their revenues due to colorum vehicles,” said Bautista, noting that unconsolidated PUVs after the April 30 deadline will also be considered colorum.
“If we can decrease 90 percent of colorum operations, this is of big help to the legitimate transport operators and a huge relief to the usual traffic flow,” he added.
From March 12 to April 15, the composite team of the MMDA alongside the DILG recorded a sum of 56 colorum apprehensions, 44 out-of-line apprehensions, and 100 impounded colorum units.
The fines for colorum drivers and operators range from P6,000 to P1 million depending on the vehicle.
Meanwhile, the MMDA also started the apprehension of the violators of the Regulation No. 24-002 or the prohibition of e-bikes, e-trikes, tricycles, pedicabs, push carts, and kuligligs on national roads, circumferential roads, and radial roads in Metro Manila.
Violators of the said regulation will be fined P2,500 while the vehicle used will be impounded if the driver has no license and registration. (MMDA/PIA-NCR)
