LTO denies deputization of Talisay enforcers

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, who is the chairman of the City of Talisay Traffic Operations and Development Authority (CT-TODA), yesterday said the city's request from the Land Transportation Office -Central Visayas to deputize their traffic enforcers was denied.

According to Villarante, the LTO found out that majority of the city's traffic enforcers in the city are job order personnel, who are "not covered by civil service and administrative rules and regulations due to the non-existence of employee-employer relationship."

But while LTO denied their request, Villarante explained that traffic enforcers can still apprehend. This means that in the event of an apprehension, a citation ticket and not a temporary operators' permit from the LTO shall be issued to a violator, he explained.

"It is still advantageous to the city government since our enforcers can still issue citation tickets, which will help earn revenues," Villarante said.

Villarante said the CT-TODA is planning to hire a casual employees in order to get the deputization from LTO.

Villarante added that they are planning to reapply again once they have complied with the agency's requirements.

Villarante said he plans to convince City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to hire 10 casual employees for CT-TODA that would serve as deputized officers and TOPs.

Under LTO policy, deputized law enforcers need to undergo seminar, examination and on-the-job training to ensure proper apprehensions.