Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. INQUIRER file photo
On its 106th founding anniversary, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) received a reminder from Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade that corruption is still an issue in the agency.
“Ang gusto kong marinig when we celebrate the 107th anniversary of LTO, that we have substantially reduced corruption in our ranks,” Tugade said.
The transport chief, who also presided over the inauguration of LTO’s plate-making plant, added that Filipinos deserve a ‘clean’ LTO.He promised motorists who waited for their license plates for almost two years that the initial plates would be released later this year.
“Ngayon po, ito na ho ‘yong first step kung saan ‘yong mga sasakyan na naghihintay ng plaka ay masusuplayan na pagdating ng Setyembre at Oktubre (This is the first step. We can supply the license plates in September and October),” Tugade said.
“Dapat lang mawala ang korupsyon. Ibigay natin ulit ang LTO sa sambayanang Pilipino. Sama-sama, kapit-bisig ho tayo d’yan (We need to get rid of corruption. Let us give the LTO back to the Filipino people. Let’s do this together),” Tugade added.
LTO has a notorious corruption record. Hundreds of allegations have been hurled against the agency, including reported payoffs in exchange for driver’s licenses and motor vehicle registrations, as well as various red-tape practices that delay the release of licenses and license plates.
Road-safety a priority
LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante vowed to make LTO services more people-friendly by simplifying transaction processes.He said the LTO is working with the Department of Education to educate people regarding road safety.
According to a 2015 World Health Organization report on Road Safety, there are more than 10,000 deaths per year in the Philippines due to road accidents.The international organization Global Road Safety Partnership estimates that road accidents take away 2.6 percent from the country’s Gross Domestic Product. /ee