Whereas Clauses. WHEREAS, in the Greater Manila Area, the bigger towns and cities in the Philippines, and the main roads connecting them, there exists serious traffic congestion and disorder that have been causing accidents and delays in travel, which are highly detrimental to public safety and convenience and to the functions of commerce, industry, and the Government.

WHEREAS, in many parts of the country, due partly to inadequacy of transportation facilities, there have abounded unauthorized operators of public utility motor vehicles ("colorum" and "kabit"), who have clandestinely operated in violation of the penal provisions of existing law, rendered unregulated, unsafe or sub-standard service, put up unfair competition to legitimate operators, and deprived the Government of considerable amounts of taxes and fees;

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State, as swiftly as possible, to improve the deplorable condition of vehicular traffic, obtain maximum utilization of existing public service motor vehicles, eradicate the harmful and unlawful trade of clandestine operators by replacing or allowing them to become legitimate and responsible operators, and update the standards that should henceforth be followed in the operation of public utility motor vehicles; and

WHEREAS, to carry out his national policy, it is imperative to provide, among other urgently needed measures, more expeditious methods in prescribing, redefining, or modifying the lines and mode of operation of public utility motor vehicles that now or thereafter, may operate in this country.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to PROCLAMATION NO. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, and General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, do hereby promulgate this Decree.