LTO-7 tells transport sector to follow new law

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Officials of the Land Transportation Office-Region 7 from Cebu City on Friday urged transportation groups in Negros Oriental to strictly follow the Joint Administrative Order of the Department of Transportation and Communications, the LTO itself and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, to avoid stiffer fines or penalties.

At least 50 drivers, transport operators and representatives from transport groups attended the forum called for by the LTO District Offices of Bais City and Dumaguete City as part of the ongoing information campaign to educate the public on the new law.

The JAO, which took effect last June 19, has increased the fines and penalties for various violations under Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code and other related laws.

According to LTO-7 assistant regional director Alita Pulga, the JAO was crafted as a means to discipline transport operators and drivers and hopes that everybody will cooperate in the enforcement of this new law.

Pulga told forum participants that LTO-7 and LTFRB-7 officials have been going around the Central Visayas provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor to orient the people on the provisions of the JAO, and not to "make any apprehensions."

The JAO is not mainly meant to collect fines and penalties but to act as a deterrent measure for drivers, operators and everybody on the streets from violation of land transportation and traffic laws, Pulga said, adding that owners of colorum vehicles will now be forced to apply for a franchise with the LTFRB.

The LTO has been focused on reducing traffic violations and fewer apprehensions because such would mean that the agency is effective and efficient in the implementation of traffic rules and regulations, said Pulga.

Pulga said law enforcement is not the LTO's primary function, but registration of motor vehicles and licensing of drivers. She however admitted some limitations in law enforcement due to the limited number of deputized agents of the LTO.

In Negros Oriental alone, there are only 11 deputized organic personnel of the LTO district offices who can larrest traffic violators: Six in Bais City, three in Dumaguete and two in Bayawan City.

Pulga said there are only 115 deputized organic LTO agents in Region 7, a problem the agency has to address soon with the forthcoming enforcement of the JAO in Negros Oriental.

The forum, which was part of the information campaign on the JAO, was also attended by Joel Maloloyon, OIC chief of operations of the LTO-7, Alberta Janine Lawas, chief of the LTO-Bais District Office, and Lourdes Villegas, OIC of the LTO-Dumaguete, among other transportation officials.  (FREEMAN)