MMDA to implement tagging scheme to manage colorum buses in MM

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities will find it easier to catch colorum city buses in Metro Manila starting Monday when the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s vehicle tagging scheme is set to be implemented.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino explained that the vehicle tagging scheme was approved last February by the Metro Manila Council, the MMDA’s policy-making body composed of 17 mayors.

The scheme was a re-implementation of MMDA Resolution Number 02-27 series of 2002 which authorized the MMDA to implement vehicle tagging for all registered and franchised public utility vehicles (PUVs) plying major and secondary roads of the metropolis. Under the scheme’s guidelines, PUVs were required to paint their license plate numbers “on the roof, front, back, and two sides of the PUVs using a color scheme for easy classification.”

Warnings and not fines await violators during the first week of implementation (August 15-20), said MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino. But bus operators should still take note of the tagging scheme as early as the first week because the MMDA will be “very strict with the enforcement of this resolution,” he stated.

“Any city bus caught violating the scheme shall be meted appropriate sanctions,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said that on the first offense, violators will be fined P500. He also warned offenders that they may face cancellation or suspension of their bus franchise by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, upon recommendation by the MMDA, if they go past the first offense.

The scheme is not only envisioned by the MMDA to track colorum and out-of-line PUVs, but also to improve traffic monitoring and ensure public safety, said Tolentino. He explained that requiring  license plates to be painted on the roofs of PUVs makes it easier for the MMDA’s CCTV cameras to identify them.

Tolentino added that with the vehicle tagging scheme in place, even law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) can monitor and track down marked PUVs during emergency situations. For instance, the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) has its own set of CCTVs positioned all over Metro Manila for surveillance and monitoring purposes, and would be able to track vehicles better with the tagging scheme.

The MMDA chairman said that they intended to expand the tagging scheme to include provincial buses, AUVs, school shuttles, taxis, and even cargo trucks by October this year.

He disclosed that the MMDA issued a memorandum that stated the guidelines for the scheme to all PUV operators prior to implementation.

Tolentino said that several city bus operator groups have pledged support to the scheme during a dialogue with him. He said such dialogues will be conducted regularly.