MANILA - Come June 19, operating a ''colorum'' vehicle will become less appealing with higher fines scheduled to take effect. But the order is being opposed by the sector it is meant to help. The transportation department has approved higher fines for colorum vehicles. Before, the fine for all colorum vehicles is just about P6,000. With the order, fines now range from P6,000 to as high as P1 million. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) hopes the higher fines will lessen the number of colorum vehicles. But for some operators and drivers, raising fines is not enough to remove colorum vehicles from the roads. Transport group Pasang Masda fears that the higher fines could be abused by corrupt traffic enforcers in their extortion schemes. The Metro Bus Transport Club, for its part, expressed doubt the new penalties for colorum vehicles can be implemented properly. Piston, meanwhile, will launch a protest action and file a petition to stop its implementation before the Supreme Court. - ANC