Inter-agency Council for Traffic chief Thomas Orbos on Tuesday appealed to shopping mall operators in Metro Manila to help the government in its fight against colorum and other out-of-line public utlity vehicles.
Orbos will convene all mall operators in Metro Manila in a meeting this Thursday to ask for their cooperation on the government’s drive against bogus public utility vehicles. He will also remind them regarding harboring colorum vehicles in their respective terminals.
“We need to remind the mall operators of their responsibility not to allow colorum vehicles in their terminals, otherwise, they will be made answerable for this,” warned Orbos.
The I-ACT chief is referring to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Memorandum Circular Number 2017-030 that pertains to the accountability of establishments allowing colorum vehicles within their terminals.
Orbos said mall owners and operators should not allow colorum vehicles to operate in their establishments. He added business establishments should prioritize the safety and security of their customers.
“This is shared responsibility and we have to reject colorums. Don’t allow them to use your establishments for their illegal terminals,” he said.
To date, there are 195 malls in Metro Manila, 16 of which are located along Epifanio de los Santos Aveue. These malls also serve as transport hubs as they house terminals for UV Express, taxis, buses, and jeeps.
“We are assuring the public that there won’t be any let-up in this campaign so we are seeking the support of mall operators to have their terminals compliant to the LTFRB guidelines for off-street terminal operations and making it colorum-free,” Orbos said.
Also expected to attend the meeting is LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra.
Over the weekend, I-ACT team apprehended more than 2,500 motorists in separate operations against colorum and dilapidated PUVs in Quezon City and Bulacan province.
The I-ACT recently launched Task Force Kamao in response to President Rodrigo Duterte who ordered a crackdown on all colorum vehicles nationwide and the arrest of erring drivers and operators.
