Drivers decry higher penalties on violations

CEBU, Philippines - Several transport leaders in Cebu are calling the Land Transportation Office (LTO) - 7 to stop or suspend the implementation of Department Order No. 2008-39, otherwise known as ‘Revised Schedule of LTO Fines and Penalties for Traffic and Administrative Violations”.

The order, specifically item number 75 on reckless driving, imposes a fine of P1,000 for the first offense; a fine of P1,500 and suspension of driver’s license for two months for second offense; a fine of P2,000 and six months suspension of driver’s license for the third offense; and revocation of driver’s license for recurring offenses and a fine of P5,000.

“Dili ni tawhanon ug makatarunganon,” said Romeo Armamento, president of Mandaue United Drivers Association during the Transport Workers Forum yesterday. (That’s unfair.) Their group is backed up by the National Confederation of Transport workers Union-Alliance of Progressive Labor-International Transport workers Federation.

Armamento said that the government, specifically the Department of Transportation and Communications and LTO, should be sensitive to the plight of the drivers.

The group also questioned why LTO-7 only recently implemented DO 2008-39 when in fact this order took effect five years ago.

LTO-7 Director Raul Aguilos said that they are just following the mandate of their head agency. He said they became stricter recently amidst the continued violations committed by the drivers.

“The high penalty is meant to discipline the drivers. Kung wala silay violations, dili man sad sila pabayron. Nakita namo nga ni grabe ang abuso. Bisan asa na lang ni sila manghunong sa ilang mga sakyanan,” Aguilos said. (Many drivers are abusive. If they just follow the law then they don’t have to pay for anything.)

“Gawas nga pabayron ang driver sa multa, isuspenso pa gyud iyang lisensiya. Angayan nga huna-hunaon sa taga DOTC ug LTO nga naa ni mga pamilya ang mga drivers,” Armamento said. (Aside from the fees, they also suspend the license. DOTC and LTO should remember  that we also have families to take care of.)

He added that other regions are not implementing this order.

The Baguio City Regional Trial Court on May 2, 2012, declaring the said order ‘null and void’ for being unconstitutional.

Aguilos, however, said that DOTC appealed the decision before the Court of Appeals, which is still pending.

Earlier, DOTC stated that the Office of the Solicitor General which is currently handling the case will advise on the status of the order and its enforcement and the consequent action to be taken by the LTO/DOTC considering that the injunction order was issued by  RTC, which is effective only within the judicial region of the issuing court.

The DOTC said once the decision of  the court becomes final they will abide by the ruling stopping an order issued by the previous administration under LTO DO #2008-39.

Transport leaders are seeking a dialogue with Aguilos tentatively on April 15, 2013.

“Sure anytime, I am willing to have a dialogue with them,” said Aguilos. — (FREEMAN)