MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is set to tag all public utility vehicles (PUVs) such as buses, jeepneys, and taxi cabs within 3 months. 

The agency has issued Memorandum Circular No. 5 on the program, which covers all Metro Manila and provincial bus operators, PUV operators, franchise holders, and drivers. 

The regulation also covers metered and non-metered GT and AUV taxis, school buses, tourist shuttle buses, and cargo trucks. 

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said after the guidelines are issued, transport operators wll be given 3 months to paint their units for compliance. 

According to the guidelines, vehicle tagging means the painting of the license plate numbers on the roof, front, back, and 2 sides of the PUVs using a color scheme for easy classification. 

The following background color scheme shall be observed in the tagging or marking of PUVs: yellow for city buses plying EDSA, orange for city buses not plying EDSA, red for provincial buses plying EDSA, violet for provincial buses not plying EDSA, brown for public utility jeepneys (PUJs), blue for metered taxis, green for non-metered/garage taxi/AUV taxis, gray or silver for school buses, pink for tourist or shuttle uses, and gold for cargo trucks. 

The tag or mark shall be painted horizontally on the front portion of the PUVs' roof measuring 900mm by 1,200mm for PUBs/school and tourist buses and cargo trucks.  Meanwhile, the measurement of the tag for PUJs, FX/van-type taxis, and sedan-type taxis must be 400mm by 900mm. 

The license plate number of the PUVs will be painted over the color template using black paint, except provincial buses, which will use white paint. 

"With the implementation of the vehicle tagging scheme, it will be easier for us to spot traffic violators and those involved in accidents and criminal cases through our closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras," Tolentino said. 

As part of its "no physical contact policy,” the agency installed 68 CCTV cameras on strategic locations throughout the metropolis.  

However, the CCTVs were not able to capture clearly the images of the license plates of traffic violators because of the cameras' limited visual range. 

To address this problem, the Metro Manila Council, MMDA's policy-making body composed of the 17 mayors, approved the vehicle tagging scheme.  

"We will be very strict with the enforcement of this resolution.  Any PUV spotted by our CCTVs violating the scheme shall be considered as operating out-of-line or colorum and shall be meted out appropriate sanctions including the recommendation for cancellation or suspension of franchise to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board," Tolentino warned. 

An additional 30 CCTV cameras donated by the Department of Transportation and Communications will be installed along major thoroughfares.