LTO issues ban on fixers at all agency facilities

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MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has taken a major step toward making sure that anyone who wants help from the LTO can get it without going via a third party by issuing a memo prohibiting fixers within the agency’s facilities across the country.

LTO chief Jay Art Tugade said that one of the office’s goals is to promote openness and alter the public’s pessimistic view of the organization.

In the memorandum, Tugade ordered regional directors to “prohibit fixers from entering, roaming, waiting and/or other similar activities with any LTO offices and/or facilities.”

He also ordered them to  “ensure strict compliance to the procedures, requirements and timelines as provided under the Citizen’s Charter,” and to “initiate campaigns and programs” in their respective jurisdictions to ensure the eradication of fixers and red tape.

To ensure the project stays on track and is carried out efficiently, the officials are tasked with submitting a progress report every two months for monitoring and execution.

Tugade warned that LTO personnel who are found conspiring with fixers and violating provisions of Republic Act 11032 or the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018” will be charged administratively and criminally based on Section 13 of the said law.

“Let any LTO personnel be warned, that I will not hesitate to file charges against those who may be engaged in corrupt practices in cahoots with fixers that prevent the efficient delivery of service to the public, our customers,” said Tugade.

Also, LTO-National Capital Region-West (LTO-NCR-West) Director Roque “Rox” Verzosa III has called on all district heads of the government agency to constantly remind and educate the employees of their anti-fixing policy.

Verzosa made the call through a memo submitted to all LTO-NCR-West District heads and employees in light of recent complaints and reports on the proliferation of fixers within the vicinity of LTO Offices.

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JPV/abc