Reasons for Creation
- Colorum (illegal) operators prejudice economic interests of legitimate operators.
- Colorum vehicles evade mandated safety, emission, and repair inspections, endangering public safety.
- Increasing incidents of extortion or "kotong" against public utility drivers/operators harm livelihoods.
- Extortion is legally a form of robbery (Art. 293 and 294 Revised Penal Code) and punishable by law.
- Improved government coordination is necessary to effectively combat these issues.
Need for Coordinating Body
- A body directly under the Office of the President is required for proactive, nationwide coordination against extortion and colorum operations.
- Sustained and dedicated campaign against these problems is urgent.
- President’s constitutional authority (Article VII, Sec. 17) and administrative powers authorized creation.
Creation and Mandate of PACKTAF
- The Presidential Anti-Colorum/Anti-Kotong Task Force (PACKTAF) is created under the Office of the President to urgently address extortion and colorum vehicle operations.
Steering Committee
- Composed of Secretaries of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Energy (DOE), and Department of National Defense (DND).
- Provides policy direction and oversight for PACKTAF.
- Headed by the Secretary of the DOE.
Leadership and Composition of TASK FORCE
- Undersecretary Roy V. Kyamko designated as Task Force Head; responsible for daily operations, compliance, and reporting.
- Members include representatives from DILG, DOTC, DOJ, DOE, DND, and accredited transport groups.
Personnel and Organizational Structure
- Maximum of 45 personnel: 14 officers and 31 non-commissioned officers/civilians.
- Structure determined by Task Force Head, subject to Steering Committee approval.
- Changes require majority Steering Committee ratification.
- Accredited transport groups provide 2 volunteer consultant representatives.
- 20 personnel hired as contractual employees funded by supplemental funds; the remaining 25 provided by concerned agencies.
- Active PNP senior officer appointed Deputy Head by the President.
Operations Center
- Located within the Department of Energy.
Powers and Functions of PACKTAF
- Direct operations including arrest and investigation for extortion or colorum vehicle operations when probable cause exists.
- Conduct intelligence and counter-intelligence operations.
- Coordinate with DOJ for prosecution and legal referral.
- Monitor investigation and prosecution progress.
- Call on DND for operational support when needed.
- Require DOTC to provide impounding areas for confiscated vehicles.
- Develop public awareness campaigns in partnership with local governments and civic groups.
- Undertake studies to recommend measures to prevent colorum operations and extortion.
- Conduct coordinated efforts nationwide to combat colorum operations and extortion.
- Provide direct reports to the President and liaison with transport groups.
- Exercise other functions necessary as assigned by the President.
Inter-agency Support and Respect for PNP Role
- All government entities must assist PACKTAF.
- This Order does not diminish the Philippine National Police’s role as the primary law enforcement agency.
Funding
- Initial budget of Thirty Million Pesos (₱30,000,000) appropriated.
- Funds sourced from corporations supervised by the DOE.
Repeal and Effectivity
- Prior inconsistent issuances, rules, or regulations are repealed or modified.
- Order takes immediate effect upon approval.