AN interagency body that will target colorum or unregistered public utility vehicles (PUVs) and other traffic violators in Davao region will on be created.
In an interview Wednesday, March 28, Police Regional Office (PRO 11) director Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan said they already have an informal agreement with other traffic law enforcement units to establish a body dedicated to the crackdown against traffic violators.
“We will recommend na magkaroon dito sa Davao ng parang interagency action team in the future similar to the I-Act of Metro Manila,” Gaerlan said.
He was referring to the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (I-ACT), which is tasked to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) in managing traffic flow and enforcement of the traffic code.
“Very soon (it will start). We will start the planning stage after the Holy Week, documentation and everything, so that as soon as possible ma-formalize itong interagency task force,” Gaerlan said.
Last Wednesday, they held a meeting with various stakeholders including the Land Transportation Office (LTO 11), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Philippine National Police’s (PNP’s) Highway Patrol Group (HPG).
To counter colorum vehicles from traversing the national highways, he said that they have already deployed several personnel in the region’s boundaries.
Gaerlan also said they are willing to help LTO and LTFRB to enforce traffic laws and apprehend violators.
“I have recommended the assistant regional director of the LTO, si Director Cañedo to be the head at kami sa PNP, we will fully support kasi alam ko naman na ang LTO, LTFRB including yong dito sa terminal, kulang na kulang sila ng tao,” he said.
He also discouraged the public from riding colorum vehicles as these don’t have insurance for their passengers whenever accidents occur. Insurance is a number one requirement for operators before they get a franchise.
“We are encouraging our citizens tapusin na ang pagsuporta ng paggamit ng colorum kasi pag na-aksidente sila wala silanag mahahabol at hindi regulated kaya kadalasan hindi well-maintained, hindi designed for mass transport. Ito’ng mga private vehicles na kino-convert so that’s why ang LTFRB hindi rin nagbibigay ng franchise kasi hindi naman ito dedicated for mass transport system, that’s the reason why the LTFRB won’t issue franchise to its operators,” Gaerlan said.JCR