THE Land Transportation Office Central Visayas (LTO 7) has officially opened its new Drivers Education Center (DEC), which aims to give opportunities to aspiring but poor drivers to obtain a license.

Victor Caindec, LTO 7 director, said he established the DEC following positive feedback on the Malasakit Center and how it has greatly helped Cebu’s less fortunate and sickly constituents.

Joel Maloloy-on, LTO 7’s Cebu City Division Office chief, said one needs to pay only P300 to enroll in the DEC.

The three-day course includes 15 hours’ worth of lectures and seminars in order to obtain a student permit.

Maloloy-on clarified that the LTO will issue an official receipt of the P300 enrollment fee, which will be used to procure the reading and activity materials used during the three-day course.

The course will cover the basics of traffic safety rules and proper driving etiquette.

He also stressed the importance of taking this course, as well as enrolling in private driving schools, to ensure not just one’s safety but also other motorists’.

Maloloy-on said: “Our government wants to institutionalize the issuance of licenses for our applicants because we want better and safer roads. To achieve this, the LTO only issues licenses to competent and qualified drivers. With this program, we can achieve that and do away with what was in the past.”

Maloloy-on hopes that with more disciplined and educated drivers on the road, accidents and road casualties will decrease.

To help aspiring drivers who are availing themselves of the DEC, LTO 7 has a team of accredited and well-trained instructors.

Before enrolling in the DEC course, interested applicants will need to request for an endorsement from their barangay captains or from their local government units proving they are eligible for the program and can apply for a student’s permit or driver’s license. (PAC / CBQ)