DILG Orders Crackdown on Colorum Operators
April 13, 2024 - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued a directive to local government units (LGUs) to launch a crackdown on colorum operators. The order was issued by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos.
The directive mandates that all operating public transportation services must secure appropriate franchises or certificates of public convenience (CPC) from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) before they are allowed to use transport terminals and ply their routes.
The order comes in the wake of the recent arrest of a woman who claimed to be a distant relative of Secretary Abalos. The woman was apprehended by authorities after her colorum vehicle was found to be driven by a man using a fake driver’s license.
In DILG Memorandum Circular 2024-26, Abalos instructed LGUs, through their Sanggunians, to pass an ordinance banning colorum operators from using their transport terminals. He emphasized that this has been a persistent issue on the ground and directed LGUs to ensure that colorum operators do not operate.
Abalos also directed LGUs to conduct inspections of public utility vehicles in terminals within their jurisdiction and along local roads through checkpoints, and report colorum operators to the LTFRB and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
He stressed the importance of passenger safety and urged LGUs to take the lead in stopping the operation of colorum operators. Abalos also ordered LGUs to promulgate more rigid regulations against unlicensed vehicles and their illegal operations based on LTFRB and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) guidelines and identify other measures in safeguarding public transportation within their areas of jurisdiction.
The DILG is committed to ensuring the safety and convenience of the commuting public and will continue to work with LGUs and other relevant agencies to address the issue of colorum operations.