ILOILO City — The continued operation of unauthorized passenger vehicles across Western Visayas has raised concerns over commuter safety and unfair competition, with authorities apprehending 299 “colorum” vehicles in the first 10 months of 2026.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) reported that the vehicles, apprehended from January to October, were illegally transporting paying passengers without valid franchises or operating permits from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The apprehensions covered motorcycles, tricycles, taxis, sedans, vans and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), underscoring the variety of vehicles being used for unauthorized passenger transport.
LTO Region 6 director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II warned that operating passenger services without proper authorization exposes commuters to potential safety risks while placing legitimate transport operators at an unfair disadvantage.
He stressed that vehicles carrying paying passengers must have a valid LTFRB franchise or provisional authority, regardless of the type of vehicle used.
The agency intensified its crackdown during “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2026,” conducted from October 23 to November 4, deploying enforcement teams and deputized personnel to conduct roadside inspections and check thousands of public utility vehicles (PUVs) for safety compliance.
Authorities also stepped up enforcement of LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2024-038, which took effect on October 10, 2024, revoking previous exemptions for certain leased private vehicles and rent-a-car services.
The circular directs enforcement agencies to impound privately registered vehicles found operating as commercial passenger carriers without government authorization.
Under Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01, unauthorized operators face hefty fines, vehicle impoundment and administrative sanctions.
The Public Service Act and Executive Order No. 202 likewise require passenger transport services under LTFRB jurisdiction to secure a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) or valid operating authority.
Section 7 of Republic Act No. 4136 also prohibits privately registered vehicles from transporting passengers for compensation.
LTO-6 said its enforcement teams would sustain region-wide operations against colorum vehicles to protect commuters, uphold transport regulations and safeguard legitimate operators from unfair competition./PN
