LTO-7 sacks 40 workers over alleged corruption

CEBU, Philippines — Around 40 personnel of the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO-7) have been terminated from service over their alleged involvement in corrupt practices, including extortion during roadside operations, illegal collection of fees for license plates, and fixing activities.

LTO-7 Regional Director Atty. Wendell Dinglasan said those removed from service included law enforcers, plate hub workers and personnel assigned to district offices.

Dinglasan said most of the complaints involved personnel allegedly asking motorists for money during roadside enforcement operations.

He also cited reports that some personnel assigned at the plate hub allegedly charged motorists P2,000 to P2,500 to release license plates that should have been issued free of charge since these had already been paid for during vehicle registration.

Dinglasan said around three to five of those removed were allegedly involved in fixing activities, particularly in the agency's operations division.

He explained that many of those dismissed were job order personnel who do not enjoy security of tenure, allowing management to terminate their contracts once it loses confidence in their performance.

For plantilla employees, he said disciplinary actions are subject to due process.

Meanwhile, Dinglasan warned taxi operators against violating the terms of their franchises, including picking up multiple passengers like public utility vans or operating beyond their authorized routes.

He said such practices are subject to sanctions and may, depending on the circumstances, be treated as franchise violations or colorum operations.

He also announced that a new Regional Law Enforcement Service chief, who is a lawyer, will soon assume the post and vowed to strictly enforce anti-corruption measures within the agency.

Dinglasan said LTO-7 has already released around 50,000 motorcycle and motor vehicle license plates during his first three months in office.

He said the intensified plate distribution campaign, launched in April, has helped reduce the region's backlog of unclaimed license plates.

Despite the gains, Dinglasan estimated that LTO-7 still has around 200,000 to 250,000 unclaimed license plates but expressed confidence that the backlog could be significantly reduced with the cooperation of vehicle owners.

“Kami na ang lumalapit sa kanila kasi ang iba tinatamad nang pumunta sa opisina ng LTO. Pero kung tutulungan nila kami at sila mismo ang pupunta sa LTO, mas mapapabilis ang pag-resolve ng backlog,” he said.

Dinglasan also highlighted LTO-7's accomplishments since March, including its participation in securing the 58th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the implementation of the Road Safety Pledge during Holy Week, the enforcement of "Oplan HeadSafe" against motorcycle riders without helmets in southern Cebu, and the expansion of its E-Patrol services, which bring free Theoretical Driving Courses (TDCs) to remote communities.

Earlier, Dinglasan introduced the agency's new "Road Heroes Program," which recognizes private citizens who assist authorities in apprehending motorists involved in hit-and-run incidents.

He said the program was inspired by a motorist who pursued a hit-and-run suspect, leading to the driver's arrest and the filing of charges.

While encouraging civic responsibility, Dinglasan reminded the public to prioritize their own safety when helping authorities respond to road incidents. (CEBU NEWS)