Agents of the National Telecommunications Commission have joined the campaign against colorum and out of line vehicles going after drivers and operators of Asian Utility Vehicles using high-frequency handheld radios to avoid apprehension.
The Interagency Council for Traffic sought the NTC’s help following reports that operators and drivers of UV Express are illegally using ultra-high frequency (UHF) and very high frequency (VHF) handheld radios in their operations.
On June 6, the authorities apprehended a number of drivers and confiscated 18 pieces of unlicensed UHF and VHF handheld radio and mobile phones in an operation conducted in Ortigas and in Quezon City.
I-ACT chief Thomas Orbos said the crackdown against illegal handheld radiotelephones is meant to target particularly colorum vehicles which use those radios to avoid apprehension.
“Some drivers avoid being caught by our law enforcers by using their handheld radios to alert fellow drivers of ongoing I-ACT operations,” he said.
Republic Act 3846 stated that anyone who uses radiotelephone will have to undergo Restricted Land Mobile Radio Telephone Operations Seminar before the NTC can issue the permit or license to possess.
The NTC also issues the permit to purchase and can either approve or deny requests depending on the purpose of applicant. It will also recommend brands that are approved by the Commission.
“Anyone who wants to buy or operate a handheld radio must secure permits from the NTC, first. No permits or license would warrant apprehension and confiscation of units,” NTC Deputy Commissioner Delilah Deles said.
Orbos said that the campaign versus unregistered and non-NTC approved handheld radios will continue as the NTC will now be officially part of I-ACT.
“We are determined not only to minimize but to put a stop to the problems, which if left unattended will further cause more headaches to the general public and the authorities,” Orbos said.
The I-ACT reported that since July 2016 until April this year, a total of 2,470 (41.4 percent) colorum PUVs were apprehended through the intensified drive and the recently established Task Force Kamao.
“We owe it to the public and their increased awareness of the perils these colorum vehicles might bring to them. Through their cooperation and participation coursed through our complaint channels, we were able to identify areas with prevalent colorum activities and easily apprehend them,” said Orbos.
I-ACT is composed of personnel from the Metro Manila Development Authority, Land Transportation Office, Police-Highway Patrol Group and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
Joel E. Zurbano
The Council formed Task Force Kamao in response to President Duterte’s order to crack down on all colorum vehicles nationwide and arrest erring drivers and operators.
Under a Joint Administrative Order issued by the LTO and LTFRB, operators of colorum buses will be fined P1 million for the first offense, P200,000 for trucks and vans, P120,000 for sedans, P50,000 for jeepneys, and P60,000 for motorcycles.