LTFRB says Towing vehicles sans franchise are "colorum"

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board said yesterday that towing companies whose vehicles do not have any franchise are considered “colorum” or illegal.

“Actually dapat colorum na. Gidakop na unta na sa LTO,” LTFRB regional director Romulo Bernardes said yesterday.

Land Transportation Office regional director Raul Aguilos said that Road Warrior towing services was given an exemption by LTFRB to operate while One Stop, another towing company, was already issued a franchise by LTFRB.

Bernardes said that with a new memorandum no one is exempted and should get a franchise.

He added that another towing company, A-Plus, was also required to get a franchise.

Bernardes said someone driving a public vehicle without a franchise can face a penalty of at least P6,000.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he will order the three contracted towing companies to stop their operations if indeed a franchise is still needed for them to operate.

He said he will follow the order even if it will mean “chaos” to the traffic situation in the city.

“I will refer it to the city attorney. I don’t even know what a franchise is. But you see we need towing. Politically, it is hurting me, it’s not a matter of a decision based on popularity but there has to be order, people are parking everywhere,” Osmeña said.

He said the government is pushing for the Bus Rapid Transit System because a lot of people, even those in the urban poor, now own cars and vehicles.

“My decisions are based on what is needed by the people, even it is not dictated by laws,” Osmeña said. —Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)