DILG, PNP told: Intensify crackdown vs colorum PUVs
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify its crackdown on illegal public utility vehicles (PUVs) to ease traffic congestion in the nation’s capital.
Marcos issued this directive to DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. and PNP chief Major General Rommel Francisco Marbil at the Bagong Pilipinas town mall meeting on traffic concerns held at FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Wednesday.
During the town hall meeting, the president denounced the proliferation of illegal PUVs, or so-called “colorum,” as one of Metro Manila’s biggest problems on traffic, stressing that colorum vehicles are choking vehicular flow in major thoroughfares across Metro Manila.
He said that the large number of colorum PUVs only reinforces the need for a rigorous crackdown by the government. Legitimate permit-holding PUVs are essential for safely transporting commuters to their destinations.
The chief executive also requested PUV cooperatives and similar associations to police their own ranks and help authorities in its campaign against colorum vehicles.
“Hindi ko akalain at trenta porsiyento ng pumapasada ay colorum pala,” Marcos said. “Pulis ang mag-i-enforce niyan at titiyakin na may prangkisang tama, kasama sa kooperatiba lahat ng inyong grupo at ng mga ibang transport groups, mga TODA lahat ay kinikilala ang mga magpapasada.”
(It turns out there are many, and I didn't realize that 30% of those operating are colorum. The police will enforce that and ensure there is proper documentation. This will involve cooperation from transport cooperatives, your group, and other transport associations like TODAs, to recognize and regulate these operators.)
Abalos said his agency, as well as the PNP, the Department of Transportation and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), will coordinate more closely in this renewed campaign against colorum vehicles.
Meanwhile, top officials of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will confer with other law enforcement agencies in craftting a comprehensive plan to finally put an end to the illegal operation of
