LTO-6 catches two more colorum vehicles in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 6 apprehended two vehicles on Oct. 1 for allegedly operating without government authorization.

LTO-6’s latest anti-colorum operations resulted in the apprehension of a Toyota Avanza multipurpose vehicle (MPV) in Iloilo City and a private van in Passi City, both of which were found transporting passengers without the required authority and franchise.

The MPV was intercepted during a random roadside inspection early Thursday in Barangay Lanit, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Members of LTO-6’s Regional Law Enforcement Section (RLES), led by RLES chief Jetster Mandadero, flagged down the vehicle, which was carrying eight passengers who admitted paying fares for the trip from Pototan to Iloilo City.

In a separate operation, LTO-6 law enforcers also apprehended a van in Passi City late Thursday morning.

The vehicle was reportedly rented for three days for a total fee of PHP 19,000 while being used to transport passengers without the necessary authority.

Both vehicles were subsequently impounded.

With the latest apprehensions, LTO-6 said it has intercepted nearly 192 colorum vehicles since January as intensified enforcement operations continue across Western Visayas.

The crackdown has covered various types of vehicles used in unauthorized passenger operations, from motorcycles, tricycles and taxis to sedans, vans and MPVs.

LTO-6 Regional Director Gaudioso Geduspan II reiterated that operators who intend to use their vehicles for passenger transport must first secure the appropriate authority and franchise from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Despite repeated warnings and hefty fines, Geduspan said unauthorized passenger operations continue to surface across the region.

“But for us at the LTO-6, every apprehension is another step toward keeping commuters safe,” he said.

Geduspan warned that while colorum drivers continue to find ways onto the roads, LTO-6 law enforcers will keep up the campaign against unauthorized passenger operations.

LTO-6 had reported 188 colorum vehicle apprehensions as of Sept. 22, with the intercepted units including sedans, vans, taxis, motorcycles and tricycles.

The agency has said its campaign is intended to ensure that vehicles carrying passengers for compensation comply with government safety and regulatory requirements.