DILG to LGUs: Monitor colorum public vehicles

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered all local government units to monitor colorum operations of public vehicles and prevent them from using public terminals.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, in a memorandum, stressed that all LGUs shall endeavor to provide adequate, effective, and efficient transportation facilities that would provide access and mobility for its people to pursue socio-economic activities based on the Local Government Code of 1991.

Local legislative councils are urged to pass an ordinance establishing bus and vehicle stops and terminals and regulate the use of the same.

LGUs are expected to prohibit the operations of colorum operators and conduct inspection of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) operating in PUV terminals within their jurisdiction as well as along local roads thru checkpoints and report cases of “colorum" to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

All anti-colorum operations, however, has to be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the LTFRB Memorandum Circular No.2020-088, particularly on the pre-operation, actual operation, and post-operation activities.

LGUs are to ensure that all operating public transportation entities secure appropriate franchises or the CPC from the LTFRB and are in compliance of public transportation laws.

All PUV terminals in operation within the locality are also expected to be fully compliant with the policies, standards, and limitations set by the DILG-DOTr while also identifying other measures in safeguarding that local public transportation within their areas of jurisdiction is accessible, convenient, and safe.

Along with this, coordination with neighboring and adjacent LGUs is also advised to ensure that transportation and traffic operations are in order.

DILG has also requested LGUs to report the numbers of “colorum" operators and “colorum" vehicles every 15 days after the end of each quarter as well as actions taken against these illegal operators.

Earlier, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ordered city administrator Atty. Collin Rosell and now assistant administrator Ian Hassamal to check all terminals as well as container yards in the city.

The mayor’s order is to close down all terminals that only aggravate traffic.

Hassamal told The Freeman that they already have initial discussions with Rosell on this matter, but did not elaborate. — (FREEMAN)