Zero-colorum

LTO 11 to crackdown on all colorum vans

THE Land Transportation Office 11 (LTO 11) said strategic plans are being crafted, in coordination with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-11 (LTFRB-11) and Davao City Transport and Traffic Monitoring Of MANILA fice (CTTMO), on the stricter apprehension of colorum public vehicles in the region as it aims to make Region 11 the first colorum-free region in the country.

LTO 11 regional director lawyer Gomer Dy, in an interview with Sun. Star Davao, said there are still colorum public vehicles operating in the region despite the consistent and recent monitoring and assessment done after the suspension of northbound UV Express vans in the city last June.

Although there is a decrease of apprehended colorum public vehicles observed by the office from January to July this year with only 12 appre-

hensions, Dy said LTO 11 and LTFRB 11 are still on the hunt for the remaining colorum vehicles to achieve the first zero colorum record nationwide.

Last year, LTO 11 apprehended 43 colorum vehicles from January to July.

Dy added that most of the apprehended vehicles this year were vans and taxis from Mati City, Cotabato City, and Cagayan de Oro City - all going to Davao City.

"The problem with these vehicle owners is that they keep on buying vehicles, specifically vans for business but they do not get franchises from LTFRB," he said.

Dy also said LTO 11 is also having a problem in apprehending these vehicles as colorum drivers are coordinating with each other every time they suspect LTO officers monitoring along the roads. He added that part of the strategic plan being made is to consider using unnamed vehicles during apprehending operations and random change of routes.

"I am reminding all vehicle operators to register your vehicles and have it franchised. It's easy," Dy said. BSC