LTFRB to legalize ‘colorum’ tourist van operation

LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will begin this month the process of legalizing the operation of all “colorum” vans in several of the country’s top destinations to ensure the safety of both local and foreign tourists who rely on their services.

According to LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada, the agency is now coordinating with the Department of Tourism in its effort to issue franchises to tourist van operators in such destinations as Siargao, Boracay, Coron, Camiguin and Panglao.

Franchise to operate

Lizada said that since the vans in these areas were colorum, or did not possess the necessary franchise to operate, they were uncertain if these were safe to be used by the public as these did not undergo any inspection.

In the event of an accident, victims may also have a hard time getting financial compensation since they are not covered by a comprehensive insurance program, she added.

Within the month, Lizada said that operators in the islands were expected to organize themselves into a tourist transport services group.

Only those providing third-party services, excluding hotels that exclusively use their vans to ferry their guests, are required to get franchises from the LTFRB, she said.