Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes is determined to increase the agency’s effort in cracking down “colorum” or unregistered public utility vehicles (PUVs). This was made clear by the new MMDA chief during a site inspection of the agency’s impounding area at HK Sun Plaza along Roxas Boulevard.
Artes shared that the MMDA has impounded 30 colorum vehicles since March 9 as part of its intensified drive against unregistered PUVs. The MMDA chief said that the operations were conducted as it has received reports that several provincial buses bypass the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
The PITX is the integrated terminal that serves as the transfer point for buses coming from the province of Cavite, Batangas, and the cities of Muntinlupa, and Las Piñas.
“More than 30 colorum vehicles are now impounded here [at HK Sun Plaza] since March 9,” Artes said.
The MMDA noted that most of the colurum vehicles were apprehended on C5 Road, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, and major roads in Pasay City.
Artes warned operators of passenger vehicles or PUVs without valid franchises to end the payola scheme. The MMDA chief is urging operators of colorum PUVs to stop the practice of bribing traffic enforces. He is also firm that the MMDA will not tolerate such practice.
“We do not tolerate extortion, bribery, and other forms of corruption among our personnel or they will be dealt with accordingly. We will continue apprehending colorum and out of line buses,” Artes added.
Leading the MMDA’s intensified drive against colorum PUVs is Edison “Bong” Nebrija. The former EDSA traffic czar has been given the helm to lead the MMDA’s Anti-Colorum Unit as well as the agency’s Task Force Special Operations (TFSO).
Aside from cracking down colorum PUVs, Nebrija is also given the task to clear Metro Manila roads from obstructions as the MMDA prepares for the additional vehicle volume in light of less stringent COVID-19 Alert Level 1 status. Nebrija shared that the TFSO unit intends to conduct clearing operations on roads under the MMDA’s jurisdiction.
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