The Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed a tripartite agreement with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), to further clampdown on colorum vehicles and initiate road clearing operations as mitigation efforts to ease traffic in the metropolis.

Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista stressed the importance of the agreement, saying it will eliminate colorum vehicles on the road, while supporting legitimate public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators as well as commuters.

He added that the removal of colorum vehicles will ease road congestion.

“Napaka-importante po nito dahil ito po ay isa sa mga solusyon para matulungan natin ‘yung mga drivers at operators na sumusuporta sa Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), and at the same time, matulungan at protektahan ang ating mga mananakay,” Sec. Bautista said during the Joint Task Force traffic in Metro Manila. 

Signing on behalf of the DILG and MMDA were Secretary Benhur Abalos and Chairman Romando Artes.

“Kapag naalis po natin ang mga colorun vehicles, matutulungan pa natin na mabawasan ang trapiko rito sa Metro Manila,” the transport chief explained.

Under the agreement, the Joint Task Force will conduct traffic, clearing and anti-colorum operations in Metro Manila. Clearing operations will also cover maritime, railway and aviation sectors.

Sec. Bautista, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to Sec. Abalos and Chairman Artes for the initiative to solve colorum and traffic issues in Metro Manila.

“Kami po ay natutuwa at nagpapasalamat sa DILG at sa MMDA sa pagkakataong magtulong-tulungan tayo upang ma-resolve itong problema. Hindi lang kolorum, pati na rin ang traffic,” he said.