DOTC in search of impounding area for colorum vehicles

The Department of Transportation and Communications has started searching for a location where it can establish an impounding yard for colorum (unregistered) public utility vehicles. DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the lack of an impounding yard allows colorum operators to take erring buses or jeeps home, where they can be fitted with fake plates. “Naghahanap tayo ng impounding yard o area dahil walang ganito ang DOTC. Ang ginagaawa lang sa mga colorum na nahuhuli ay kinukumpiska ang plaka, ang bus pinapabalik sa depot ng offending company. Madaling makahanap ng fake na plaka eh," Roxas said in an interview on dzXL radio. He also said the DOTC plans to deploy more enforcers in major thoroughfares to catch the colorums, which do not have proper franchises. The DOTC supervises the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which in turn supervises the operation of public utility vehicles. But Roxas admitted the process will take some time. “This will take some time to implement. We have to find a location and lease it. But once it is in place, violators will have their vehicles impounded and cannot get them back until they pay the fine or until the LTFRB rules on their cases)," he said. — LBG, GMA News