LTO-7 chief: We can apprehend any vehicle, sans LTFRB

CEBU, Philippines — The top official of the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-7 clarified that they have the authority to apprehend any vehicle and not just limited to colorum.

LTO-7 Regional Director Victor Caindec said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) can apprehend commercial vehicles and check the validity of the franchises while LTO apprehend based on their registration documents.

This was the reaction of Caindec amidst reports that LTO cannot conduct its anti-colorum campaign without the presence of personnel from LTFRB.

Caindec cited the case of the accident in Alegria, Cebu that left nine tourists dead as proof that ensuring the safety of road users and commuters is not the job of just one agency.

"Puwede man gani manakop ang LTO og red plates, kana pa kaha colorum," said Caindec.

He added that LTO can apprehend colorum vehicles even without the presence of LTFRB personnel.

"We have the authority to check on the status of any vehicle on the road, including the completeness of its documents. The purpose of bringing LTFRB is to enhance the validation process, but is not a requisite to the actions that LTO can undertake in the process of implementing its mandate under the Land Transportation and Traffic Code," Caindec added.

Meanwhile, Caindec said that LTO-7 will be opening its Offsite Printing Office at the Island City Mall in Lapu-Lapu City tomorrow at 10 a.m.

"This is purely for backlog printing (of driver's license).  Same setup as the one in SM Seaside. First come, first served," said Caindec.

He added that this satellite office will serve 300 numbers plus for senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant and nursing women, police military and judiciary members.

He said that the numbers maybe small but at least this will surely lessen the number of backlogs in the printing of driver's license. —/GAN (FREEMAN)