BAGUIO CITY , Philippines – LTO chief Arturo Lomibao axed enforcement officers of the Land Transportation Office in Cagayan Valley Region allegedly mulcting already disaster-struck vegetable farmers in Benguet along the highway-detours in Nueva Vizcaya.
DOTC-CAR regional director Federico Mandapat Jr. who clarified that it was not his men but LTO-Region 2 operatives said, farmers transporting their vegetable produce from northern Benguet via the Nueva Vizcaya to Manila route had complained of the mulcting LTO operatives.
Initially, at least 87 farmers and truckers had lodged complaints before the DOTC-CAR and the number grew as Halsema Highway had not been completely restored from the ravages of Pepeng.
Mountain Province Gov. Maximo Dalog had also earlier called on the LTO leadership to stop their men in Cagayan Valley from their illegal activities along the highways especially victimizing farmers plying the route if only to bring vegetables to Metro Manila markets.
Mandapat assured that if anyone from his men will be reported to him as engaged in illegal activities, he would not hesitate to fire them if it so warrants. – Artemio Dumlao