FOLLOWING the success of the partnership between the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Central Visayas and the village chiefs in the mountain barangays of Cebu City, the free scholarships for the Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) are set to be extended in Talisay City.
LTO Central Visayas through its regional director Victor Emmanuel Caindec announced that 1,000 TDC scholarships will be allocated to the local government unit of Talisay City.
Caindec said that the LGU of Talisay City through its City of Talisay-Traffic Operation Development Authority (CT-TODA) chief executive Jonathan Tumulak sent a letter request to also conduct TDC for the indigent applicants in Talisay City.
Tumulak revealed that the free scholarships will prioritize motorcycle taxi drivers or known as "habal-habal" drivers.
A total of nine barangays will be given the free scholarship slots where Barangays Tapul, Lawaan 1, Lawaan 3, Lagtang, Jaclupan, Candulawan, and Manipis will receive 100 slots while Barangays Maghaway and Tabunok will each receive 150 slots.
Tumulak said that they will give priority to the habal-habal drivers located and living in the mountain barangays.
They are also set to start this November should the slots will be filled according to the allocation given to every barangay.
Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas Jr., also expressed his appreciation to Caindec for bringing LTO services closer to the people.
“Akong dakong pasalamat ni RD Vic who continues to show what Malasakit is all about. He’s not only a good director and public servant, but most importantly he is a good friend,” said Mayor Gullas.
Gullas also commended the director for the type of governance it has implemented since it started leading the regional office, “This is the type of governance we want to instill in Talisay, Aksyon Agad governance. Kanimo RD on behalf of the people of Talisay. Salamat bungot.”
Caindec also encouraged group leaders who intend to avail the free scholarship to coordinate with the agency or their village chiefs.
As of November 5, a total of 550 individuals from Barangays Sudlon 1 (200), Bonbon (150), Sinsin (100), and Sirao (100) graduated with TDC certificates, a requirement to apply for a student driver's permit.
"Among gipaningkamutan nga mahuman ang 1,000 TDC scholarships sa nahabilin nga 5 upland barangays nga nihatag ug nisuporta sa TDC sa LTO 7," RD Caindec on his Facebook post.
The director also revealed that this is the first time that LTO Central Visayas went to the mountain barangays to extend not just the free TDC scholarships but including its services through the Serbisyong Malasakit on Wheels.
"Gidala nato ang e-Patrol Malasakit Bus para didto na mismo sa mga barangays ang serbisyo sa renewal sa licenses and registrations."
The director also committed that services of LTO Central Visayas to the barangay level will continue in the different parts of Cebu and Central Visayas.
"Ang LTO 7 e-Patrol Malasakit Bus niabot na ni sa mga layo nga lugar sa Negros, Bohol ug sa mga lain-laing lugar sa Cebu Island apil na sa Bantayan ug Camotes."
In Cebu City, a total of 11 barangays from the upland area partnered with LTO Central Visayas in giving the free TDC scholarships to the deserving and indigent residents in their jurisdiction.
Aside from delivering the government services to the grassroots level, LTO Central Visayas through Caindec is committed to helping residents from the upland areas address the key issues affecting road safety such as driving without a driver's license and using a vehicle without proper documentation such as registration. (PR)