An act of random kindness

Unlike the days old, ARKs or Acts of Random Kindness have become uncommon and this perhaps is the reason why we announce them to the world through Facebook. Recently I was the recipient of an Act of Random Kindness that was so unexpected I decided to write about it for today. What makes it so unexpected is the fact that the “giver” is a government official connected with the Land Transportation Office in Lucena City and someone I’ve never ever met.

The story began at the LTO Main Office on East Avenue where I asked for the assistance of Ms. Mennie Mortel Chief of the Operations Division to find a contact at the LTO Lucena office in order to retrieve a photocopy of certain records on a vehicle. Long story short, Ms. Mortel got in touch with her colleague Ms. Gilda Zubia in LTO Lucena, Quezon province. Ms. Zubia quickly found the records and spent her own money to send the 3-page document via LBC.

Considering I would have had to do the 3-hour drive from Pasig to Lucena City, considering the fact that a local contact had failed do the job for me in 9 months, and considering the many nightmares that “old” car owners have in tracking down records, I am especially grateful to people like Gilda Zubia as well as Mennie Mortel who still manage to show Acts of Random Kindness. Making those phone calls, follow-ups and spending out of pocket on a government employees salary makes me proud and glad of their dedication and service.

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On the other side of the coin, three individuals have also asked me to call the attention of Assistant Secretary and head of the LTO Alfonso Tan to several discrepancies that are causing irritation and creating a bad image for the LTO.

First one comes from Mr. Barcelona who wrote to tell us how they bought a service vehicle from Ford Philippines for their manager in Davao City. After being issued a “Temporary permit to travel” the vehicle was sent to Davao. At a later date, LTO law enforcement agents arrested the driver for a speeding violation. He was then asked to present the OR/CR (Official Receipt for registration and the Certificate of Registration). The driver explained that the documents have not yet been released by the LTO but the unit already had the Induction sticker that was also indicated as temporary plate number.

According to the Davao LTO officer, the temporary permit to travel was a one-time use only and was expired. And if they wanted to continue using the vehicle they would either have to get the OR/CR or get a new temporary permit to travel. The problem is they were told by someone from Ford and LTO that the permit was issued to transport the vehicle to Davao only and another one can’t be issued. To make matters worse, Mr. Barcelona’s company had to shell out 12,000 pesos: 2 thousand for the speeding violation and 10 thousand for travelling with an expired permit to travel and having no OR/CR. If Asec Alfonso Tan wants to look into the matter, the driver texted me that the apprehending officer was a “Rafi Untong.” The driver also indicated that they simply issued the ticket and made no attempts to take a bribe.

The problem that now hounds Mr. Barcelona is that Ford has made the sale, the LTO had collected a huge fine and his manager and company is stuck with a vehicle they can’t use until the LTO sends out the OR/CR.

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Mr. Barcelona however is not the only one in that situation of having a brand new vehicle, with conduction sticker, and improvised number plate but have no idea when or if they will ever get their papers and license plates. The fault however is not with the LTO but with the Department of Transportation and Communications under Jun Abaya. Not only can they not send out the plates they can’t even give a simple and decent explanation to vehicle owners who have already PAID for the documentation and plates IN FULL!  Mr. Secretary but you owe the public that much.

In fairness to the DOTC and the LTO they seem to believe in equality for all Filipino car owners because they also make it next to impossible by not allowing the legal registry of undocumented vehicles, many of which were lost in the war, during fires, floods, etc. There is of course the pressure from car manufacturers who have lobbied against backyard made vehicles but ended up including historical and significant vintage and classic cars. Over the weekend, members of a particular car club managed to spin a long thread of commentaries on Facebook concerning the LTO’s refusal to register Vintage and Classic Cars that were mostly handed down from parents or grandparents or legitimately acquired with stickers and plate numbers but no more documents.

The thread of comments started when a frustrated member asked the question: “Can I sue an LTO officer for refusing to register my legally acquired vintage car?” That of course was followed by a flood of lament, anger and frustration at how officials of the Land Transportation Office all over the country have actively blocked such registrations, made the process complicated, made money by “fixing” the problem, or washed their hands of the problem.”  Good thing there were no publicity hungry lawyers in the thread who chirped the idea of a class action suit. Cooler heads helped and some have suggested the need for dialogue, going to media and going to court when all else fails.

Three Presidents have sat in Malacañang during which five chiefs of the LTO have made false promises to work for that window so Filipinos can once again see the beautiful cars of the past parade in our streets. Insiders have told me that they are still studying the problem. Imagine that: 15 years studying the problem! Anyway, hoipe springs eternal for those whose cause are true and just. I would rather work with the lTO on this problem. In the mean time can they issue us temporary permits for parades?

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