LTO-6 apprehends 201 colorum vehicles since January
By Jennifer P. Rendon
ILOILO CITY — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) 6 has apprehended 201 vehicles operating without the required franchise or authority since January 2026 as part of its sustained campaign against colorum transport services in Western Visayas.
The latest operation involved a privately registered van hired to transport approximately 10 government employees.
Personnel of the LTO-6 Regional Law Enforcement Section, led by Chief Jetster T. Mandadero, flagged down the vehicle in Cuartero, Capiz, on Wednesday, Oct. 14, for allegedly transporting paying passengers without a valid franchise.
The passengers reportedly told authorities they had paid the operator PHP 6,000 for a round trip from Iloilo City to Sigma, Capiz.
Despite repeated warnings and substantial penalties, LTO-6 said some operators continue to transport passengers for hire without securing the required authority.
LTO-6 Regional Director Gaudioso Geduspan II said the agency’s enforcement operations have covered motorcycles, tricycles, taxis, sedans, vans and multipurpose vehicles used for unauthorized transport services.
Geduspan warned that operating without the required franchise could endanger passengers and undermine legitimate transport operators who comply with government regulations.
Unauthorized operators may face substantial fines, vehicle impoundment and other applicable sanctions under Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01.
Geduspan has repeatedly reminded transport operators to secure the appropriate franchise or operating authority from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) before offering passenger services for a fee.
Under the Public Service Act and Executive Order No. 202, operators of passenger transport services under LTFRB jurisdiction must obtain a valid Certificate of Public Convenience or other applicable operating authority before transporting passengers for hire.
Section 7 of Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, also prohibits vehicles registered for private use from transporting passengers for compensation.
Meanwhile, LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2024-038, which took effect Oct. 10, 2024, repealed earlier exemptions covering certain leased private vehicles and rent-a-car services.
The circular directs enforcement agencies to apprehend privately registered vehicles operating as public utility vehicles without the required authority.
The LTO-6 campaign aims to curb unauthorized passenger transport operations while protecting commuters and ensuring fair competition among legitimate transport service providers.
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