Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 30) — Transport authorities are looking into rules concerning the impounding of vehicles, particularly on how to dispose of these, amid legal and logistical issues.
For nearly a decade, seized colorum vehicles—those running without a franchise—have been impounded at offices of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) nationwide.
As of its latest count, the LTFRB said over 2,000 vehicles have been mothballed in their offices, several of these laying idle for years.
At a hearing of the House Committee on Transportation, LTFRB chief Teofilo Guadiz lll said they were no longer impounding colorum vehicles after the Department of Justice issued a legal opinion in June which said only the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine National Police could apprehend public utility vehicles (PUVs).
Keeping these motor vehicles is an added cost to us. The faster that we can dispose of these vehicles — whether legally or otherwise — it will make it easier for the agency to get rid of, I mean address this issue,” he said.Under a joint administrative order issued by the Department of Transportation in 2014, vehicles can be seized by authorities if it was used in a crime or for a serious breach of transport or franchise rules.
“Pinapaaral ko na sa law enforcement service to cease and desist nationwide ‘yung actual impounding. We will proceed only with technical impounding. Ang diperensya kinukuha lang ang plaka,” LTO Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendonza II said.
[Translation: I have asked law enforcement services to see how to cease and desist actual impounding. We will proceed only with technical impounding with the difference being the seizing of plates.]
Meanwhile, Pasang Masda urged authorities to arrest colorum vehicles as these greatly affect the operations of authorized PUVs.
‘Kaming mga legitimate franchise holder ay nakikiusap sa ating LTO, MMDA, hulihin ang ilegal na operasyon ng kolorum. Masyado kaming naaapektuhan dito,” said Obet Martin, the group’s national president.
“Ang kinikita namin, nababawasan ng 30-40% daily diyan sa operation ng colorum vehicles.”
[Translation: We, the legitimate franchise holders, are asking the LTO and MMDA to arrest colorum operators. Our earnings fall by 30%-40% daily because of their operations.]
