LTO wants discipline, promises more enforcer presence to prevent abuse of traffic rules and laws
From hereon, we can safely assume (and expect) that more LTO enforcers will be seen along our roadways. The apparent lack of discipline pushed the Land Transportation Office’s efforts toward safe and orderly travels up a notch with agency Chief Asst. Sec. Vigor Mendoza II urging PUV operators to mandate their drivers to follow laws and commit to higher visibility of law enforcers on the ground.
LTO enforcers to back calls for discipline on the roads
Photo: Land Transportation Office
Mendoza’s statement follows a recent airing of PBBM emphasis on “the need for discipline on the road under (the) ‘Bagong Pilipinas'”. In the President’s statement, he urged all motorists and road users to observe traffic laws and rules and regulations on road safety.
On his part, LTO Chief Mendoza addressed transport group leaders to mandate their members to do the same; specifically to observe designated loading and unloading zones and refrain from encroaching into bicycle lanes. Likewise, it is a call for vendors to clear the sidewalks and for pedestrians to use pedestrian lanes when crossing.
Photo: Land Transportation Office
“Nauunawaan natin ang hirap sa pamamasada ng ating mga kapatid sa PUV sector subalit meron tayong mga batas trapiko na dapat sundin para hindi tayo makaabala at hindi magresulta sa anumang aksidente lalo na ng ating mga pasahero [We understand the challenges of being a driver in the PUV sector but we have traffic rules that we must follow so we will not be a cause for disturbance that can result in any accidents especially for our passengers],” said LTO Chief Mendoza.
“Hindi puwede na ang mga pasahero ang masusunod kung saan sila bababa at sasakay. Bilang mga tsuper, makakatulong din tayo sa panawagan ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. na magkaroon ng disiplina ang lahat ng road users [Passengers cannot dictate where they will get on and alight. As drivers, we can help with the President’s call for all road users to be disciplined],” the LTO Chief also added.
Photo: Land Transportation Office
The LTO will be deploying more enforcers to do this. The MMDA does have its own force on the ground, but as is the case in Metro Manila, a weak show of elements of the law is rather conducive for many motorists, both private and public, to try and test the limits of how much of the law they can neglect and ignore. If the LTO has a say in it, this must stop. As it properly should.
“Patuloy tayong makikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga LGUs, MMDA at sa Philippine National Police upang tiyakin ang disiplina sa daan dahil ito naman ay para sa kaligtasan ng lahat [We will continue coordinating with LGUs, MMDA, and the Philippine National Police to ensure discipline on the roads because this is for everyone’s safety],” Mendoza assured the public of his agency’s efforts.
There have been so many cases of blatant disregard for traffic laws in many years past, and we agree that it just has to stop. Maybe this is a good way to start. Along with you, Mr. Assistant Secretary, we hope this works.
