LTO deploys more personnel amid Christmas season

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Sunday said its local units have been directed to intensify their road presence amid the influx of vehicles this Christmas season.

“Our visibility on the road is important especially that we expect the increase of motor vehicles on the road on the days leading to the Christmas and New Year,”  LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said in a statement Sunday.

To ensure safer road safety especially after a spate of truck-related accidents, Mendoza ordered its enforcers to deploy personnel on major truck routes in Metro Manila and other areas across the country.

Mendoza said LTO personnel should be on station when truck bans are lifted and during the usual hours when trucks travel.

“The checking should be random and unless there is a violation, they should always be reminded to exercise caution and ensure that the brakes are working,” said Mendoza.

He added that the roadworthiness of trucks should also be checked along highways.

LTO’s order came after two fatal road accidents in Quezon City and Parañaque City this week, where a total of five persons were killed. 

According to the agency, two show cause orders were issued against the owners and drivers of the two trucks. The truck drivers' licenses were also suspended for 90 days while the vehicles were placed under alarm.

Mendoza urged truck owners and operators to ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles.

“Ito ay bahagi ng kanilang obligasyon sa kanilang negosyo, sa kanilang mga kliyente, kanilang mga tauhan, at sa lahat road users (This is part of their obligation concerning their business and to their clients, employees, and road users),” he said.

The LTO will also augment the personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the traffic units of the local government units, and personnel of the Philippine National Police stationed in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, LTO officials in the provinces were tasked to coordinate with local government units and local police forces in assisting the traffic flow.

“Our job is to ensure that they are safe on their way to the provinces and back to normal days come January next year. And this could be done through our intensified visibility that will prevent road accidents,” Mendoza said.

The LTO will also continue to conduct surprise and random inspections of passenger buses as well as random drug testing among its drivers to ensure road safety.

“We appeal to our partners in the transport sector to ensure that their units and their drivers are physically and mentally fit in doing their job as we expect a significant increase in the number of motor vehicles and commuters on the road,” said Mendoza.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News