Inquirer files
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tuesday reported that it collected P986.5 million in penalties from people caught violating traffic regulations all over the country in the first half of the year.
LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said in a statement that the revenue collection from fines and penalties was part of the agency’s efforts to intensify road safety measures and ensure road courtesy and discipline.
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“The almost P1 billion collection from fines and penalties alone is a result of the hard work of our law enforcers and other personnel on the ground. We cannot achieve this without their dedication and commitment to ensure road safety,” he said.
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Based on the LTO’s data, a total of 330,073 motorists were apprehended nationwide from Jan. 1 to June 30 this year for various offenses. Some, however, have yet to pay their fines or penalties.
“We are expecting that this figure will rise as soon as the apprehended will settle fines and penalties. That is why we are asking them to settle on time because failure to do so would only result in the payment of higher fines and penalties. In short, they will pay more,” Mendoza said.
“As much as possible, we in the LTO do not want motorists to pay any fine or penalty. But in the interest of the rule of law and road safety, we have to do this if this is what it takes to compel them to be disciplined and behaved while on the road,” he added. —Jerome Aning