The Land Transportation Office-Davao (LTO-11) has warned owners of vehicles for rent that they will face criminal charges if they engage in illegal services.

According to LTO-11, car rental businesses must have a contract with a company that will lease the vehicle for at least three years.

“Klaro kaayo kung car rentals imong business wala nay prangkisa but very clear ang provision sa balaod sa LTFRB nga if you engaged in car rental business dapat naa kay three-year lease contract sa usa ka kompanya nga gamiton ang imong sakyanan for rent,” LTO-11 Director, Eleanor Calderon, said.

If the car rental business does not have a three-year lease contract with a lessee, it will fall as a tourist transport service and the owner of the vehicle or private car must secure a franchise.

In the absence of a contract or a franchise, it is considered illegal and authorities can carry out the arrest.

“Ang tourist pwede man gud siya og one day, two days one week if you engage in that king of business kinahanglan na ta og prangkisa kay mahulod naman siya didto sa tourist o shuttle service,” Calderon added.

LTO-11 will also impound the vehicle and those who will be caught will face criminal charges.

Violators will be made to pay a fine amounting to more than P2 million and will face imprisonment for not more than six years.

“Naa mi nadawat nga bag-ong directive nga file-lan pa namo og criminal case ang mga madakpan sa colorum that is another huge task on our part kasi administrative lang supposedly mi, we can invoke ammended Public Service Act 11659 nga ginabawal gyud ang pribadong sakyanan nga mokuha og pasahero nga gamiton as public utility para mokita,” Calderon said.