THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 has proven once again that partnership between government agencies and local government units is one of the keys to the success of its free Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) program.
Since it started in 2021, LTO 7 has recorded a total of 21,682 beneficiaries who have taken advantage of the free program from the agency since it started partnering with LGUs in the region.
LTO 7 Regional Director Victor Emmanuel Caindec said that as of December 7, 2022, their Malasakit On-Wheels-ePatrol Mobile Service, which brought the TDCs to the barangay level, has surpassed the 21,000 mark.
"Almost 99 percent of our free TDC seminars in the region for 2022 were partnered with LGUs, and we have seen a very good response and also a very good number of beneficiaries for them to avail of this free service with the goal of possessing their driver's license," said Caindec.
From January until December 7, 2022, a total of 17,078 beneficiaries availed themselves of the free TDC through the partnership between the agency and the LGUs.
"Just recently (December 6 & 7) we visited Tanjay in Negros Oriental, and we want to expand more on that island knowing that there are pending requests received by our office," added Caindec.
The regional director also revealed that the Office of Senator Jun Edgardo "Sonny" Angara has communicated with LTO 7 to conduct the free TDC in Candijay, Bohol, which happened last November 23 and 24.
"We are very happy that these LGUs are proactively sending us requests so that they will have road-worthy-ready drivers. The main goal of TDC is not just for certificate or requirement purposes, but to educate drivers to be responsible and be safe, and be worthy in using the roads."
TDC's collaboration with LGUs have produced 4,604 beneficiaries and graduates by 2021. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, LTO 7 decided to temporarily stop the free TDC seminars for one month in September of the same year.
Cebu was also greatly hit by Typhoon Odette in December 2021, which was the main reason for the temporary suspension of the program in January 2022.
Caindec added that these road safety courses in partnership with LGUs have proven to be very effective, especially in implementing government programs at the grassroots level.
LTO Memorandum Circular 2019-2716 requires new drivers to undergo the 15-hour TDC as one of the requirements for a student permit. (PR)