I WOULD like to suggest to Director Victor Caindec of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 that before he embarks on another campaign, he should concentrate first on the primary functions of his office. Caindec announced that LTO 7 would launch an all-out campaign against illegally parked vehicles in the national highway from Bogo City in the north to Santander town in the south. That stretch of road is more than 200 kilometers.
He said that once his office can tap a service provider to tow clamped and impounded vehicles, his office will start to impound illegally parked vehicles that obstruct the flow of traffic along the national highway.
This campaign is in compliance with Memorandum Circular 2019-121 issued by Secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), directing all governors, city and municipal mayors, barangay captains, head of the various sanggunian, DILG regional directors and other concerned to clear all roads in the country of obstruction. Año’s directive is also in compliance with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to clear all public places from any obstruction during his recent State of the Nation Address.
This undertaking is not the primary function of the LTO. The directive does not even specifically mention the LTO. Maybe it falls in the phrase “other concerned.” So, it is not the primary task of Caindec. Okay, he wants to help local government units (LGUs). But why not leave the entire matter to the local chief executives who know best in running the affairs of their respective areas of responsibility?
One of the main functions of the LTO is to strictly implement and enforce the laws regarding land transportation. Necessary requirements and procedures are to be followed in settlements of admitted cases and contested cases of motor vehicles or adjudication of traffic cases, issuance of plates, permits of driver’s licenses, registration and inspection of motor vehicles and collection of revenues for the government.
Its mission is to rationalize the land transportation services and facilities and to effectively implement the various transportation laws, rules and regulations. It is the responsibility of those involved in the public service to be more vigilant in their part in the overall development scheme of the national leadership. The promotion of safety and comfort in land travel is a continuing commitment of the agency.
Does the LTO have enough manpower to wage the campaign against illegally parked vehicles 24/7? They cannot even apprehend those who violate the anti-smoke belching law. Remember, they will be covering the entire province. If I remember, they already started it last year when Caindec requested for an armed military backup. But like any other campaign, they are only good in the beginning. They failed to sustain it. That’s what we call in Tagalog, “ningas-cogon campaign.” Off and on. Now you see, now you don’t.
I hope the campaign will not only give advantage to Caindec’s businessmen friends. Why? Who knows, the towing service providers may turn out to be his friends or associates. It’s a money-making venture. It happened here in Cebu City before. The towing service provider was owned by a relative of the “has-been mayor” who was also his campaign fund contributor. Nagtuo mo nga dili negosyo ang tumong aning ubang kampaniya sa traffic?