LTO relocates Malasakit Service Center to Talamban

CEBU, Philippines — There is now a new Land Transportation Office (LTO) branch to focus on licensing transactions in the north of Cebu City.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II yesterday led the grand opening and blessing of the relocated Regional Office Licensing Section at Piazza Elesia, Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue in Talamban, Cebu City.

The said licensing office, also known as the Malasakit Service Center, was the one previously located beside Natalio Bacalso Avenue in Cebu City.

Malasakit Service Center Chief Christopher Ferraren said that the newly-relocated office can now accommodate residents from the 14 upland barangays in Cebu City.

He also said the Malasakit Service Center will now be open to everyone, unlike its previous dedicated services before which focused on the special sector such as overseas Filipino workers, senior citizens, persons with disability, and pregnant women, among others.

“We requested to Asec (Mendoza) to open (this licensing office to everyone). This will not only benefit our special sector but also our residents in Cebu City especially from the mountain barangays," said Ferraren.

The relocated office can cater to up to 60 people in one seating capacity.

In his speech, Mendoza instructed all regional directors in the country to turn all LTO offices in comfortable places for the transacting public.

“Ang ating plano eh wala na hong pangit na opisina sa LTO. Ang atin ho’ng instruction sa lahat ng regional directors nationwide, I will hold the regional director accountable for any office na ang tao ay pinapahirapan nila either walang silya, walang maayos at maginhawang paligid, mainit, hindi maaliwalas,” he said.

He also thanked LTO-7 Regional Director Glen Galario for the continued partnership with the private sector in opening more comfortable and cozy offices in the region.

The Malasakit Service Center, the fifth LTO office in Cebu City, has a 20-year contract with a private proponent free of charge from the government.

When asked what will happen with the current LTO office beside N. Bacalso, he said: "We will of course adjust with the city government kasi baka kailanganin na nila, kami naman mas mabuti na may ibang plano kasi mas long term, di kami nakasalalay kahit i-dodrop kung kailangan na talaga."

Mendoza added they will look for another building where the new regional office can be relocated without waiting for a formal demand to relocate.

For now, the Operations Division Office and the Office of the Regional Director remains at the LTO N. Bacalso office. — (FREEMAN)