THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) today reported that more than 30 colorum vehicles have already been impounded by the agency since March 9, 2022.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes made the disclosure after conducting an inspection of the impounding area at HK Sun Plaza along Roxas Boulevard.
The colorum and out-of-line passenger buses were impounded following a renewed drive against unregistered public utility vehicles (PUVs) operating along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
According to Artes, the operations were conducted after provincial and city bus operators reported to the agency that numerous provincial buses bypass the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.
Most of the colorum vehicles, including passenger buses and AUVs, were apprehended on C5 Road, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard and major roads in Pasay City.
He warned bus companies not to engage in “payola” to traffic enforcers, which only give a “false sense of security from being apprehended.”
“We do not tolerate extortion, bribery, and other forms of corruption among our personnel or they will be dealt with accordingly. We will continue apprehending colorum and out-of-line buses,” said Artes.
Undersecretary Frisco San Juan Jr., MMDA General Manager and concurrent Deputy Chairman, for his part, said the agency will intensify operations against PUVs without proper franchises from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
“The MMDA will continue our drive against colorum and out of line vehicles with the newly-appointed Anti-Colorum Unit Head Bong Nebrija,” said San Juan.
Meanwhile, the MMDA officials also inspected the progress of the repair works at the drainage box culvert in front of the Libertad Pumping Station along the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard.
Artes said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) targets to partially open the two lanes of the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard on Monday, March 21. The said portion was closed to motorists since January 15 to give way to the project.
The officials concluded their inspection at the Manila Bay Dolomite beach area where personnel from the Metro Parkways Clearing Group are assigned to maintain its cleanliness.
Artes said the solar-powered sewage treatment plan at the Baywalk area along Roxas Boulevard plays a big part in cleaning waste water that flows to the Manila Bay.