New fines for traffic violations to go on

CEBU, Philippines – The Land Transportation Office will continue to implement Department Order 2008-39 that increases fines for traffic violations, a move tagged by the transport sector as “very unreasonable and exorbitant”.

Over a hundred drivers of public utility jeepney trooped to the LTO regional office yesterday as they sought for a dialogue on the new order.

After the dialogue which lasted for about an hour, LTO regional director Raul Aguilos maintained that he “cannot just stop the implementation of the new order as it came from the higher authorities”.

“Padayon ang fines and penalties kay wala man ko’y katungod paghunong sa implementation,” Aguilos told the drivers.

However it was agreed that traffic violations made retroactive by the LTO will not anymore form part under the new order, this was learned from Tony Pogado, a leader of the drivers group.

Further, the jeepney drivers promised to obey traffic rules in order to avoid paying the new rates, Aguilos said.

To recall, LTO-7 implemented last week Dept. Order 2008-39; because of this, some taxicab and jeepney drivers threatened to hold a transport strike in protest to the order.

Under the said order, drivers whether driving a public utility vehicle or a private car, shall pay a fine of P6,000 for stopping on a “No Stopping” zone.

Aside from that, fine for driving without a license doubled from P750 to P1,500.

From a fine of P375, PUJ or taxi operators using tampered license plates will now be slapped with a P2,000 fine. PUJ drivers who travel outside of their route shall be fined P6,000. 

Drivers who continue to disobey traffic signs will be asked to pay P1,250 instead of the previous P250. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)