The LTO continues its battle against its current public reputation as being one of, if not the “most corrupt” in the country. With fixers and “padrinos” within its ranks, agency Chief Vigor Mendoza II has vowed to protect the Land Transportation Office’s image and has warned the public that though they do exist, unscrupulous individuals such as those asking for a payment to process the claiming of their license plates will be found and punished. As will others engaging in illegal practices that mar the agency’s name.
Fixers, “palakasan” among reasons for LTO’s bad rep
Photo: Land Transportation Office
Among the many practices of some individuals in (and outside of) the agency’s walls, fixers, and backers are among those that top the list. Following the mandate of the Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Land Transportation Office Chief Asec. Vigor Mendoza II emphasized the need to “protect the integrity of the LTO from individuals who could taint its image by boasting that they could help bend the rules of all transactions in the agency through their connections”.
This also comes after the apprehension of a man posing as a Liaison Officer from the Office of the President trying to collect PHP 500,000 for a motor vehicle registration application. More of these types of individuals were arrested – nine fixers, specifically – in Novaliches alone.
“Itong mga taong ito [These people] does not help our image. Sinisira nila ‘yong integridad, ‘yong ating imahe sa publiko [They destroy the integrity and our image to the public],” said Mendoza while sharing that various stakeholders will also have a hand in the changes within the LTO.
Photo: Land Transportation Office
On the same token, Mendoza said he is already receiving reports that some people are already negotiating with LTO clients for a PHP 200 fee for the claiming of license plates. These people are asking for this fee under the premise that the distribution process has a long queue and will entail an even longer waiting time in district offices and distribution centers.
“Sinasabi ay para hindi na daw pumila ay magbayad na lang daw ng PHP 200 para mabilis. I am telling our kababayan now na hindi po totoo yan, meron na po tayong mga inihandang sistema para maging maayos, at mabilis ang distribution process [They are saying that paying PHP 200 means they won’t have to get in line. I am telling everyone that this is not true, we have prepared system for an organized and fast distribution process],” Mendoza related.
“And take note, libre po ito kaya I am asking our kababayan to immediately report to us kung sino ang nanghihingi ng pera para makuha ang kanilang plaka dahil sisiguraduhin ko mismo na mapaparusahan ang mga taong ito [And take note, this is free so I am asking citizens to immediately report those asking them for money because I personally guarantee that they will be punished],” he also added.
Photo: LTO
We know what most of you may be thinking and/or saying. “Narinig na namin iyan” or “We’ve heard that before”. Countless different leadership teams of the agency have vowed the same, but sadly, it still remains that the presence of illegal activities and actions still plague it. But every new promise should come with a new hope. We the public are, after all, the biggest stakeholders in the Land Transportation Office’s operations.
The LTO has a lot of work to do, and our responsibility is to simply not patronize illegal practices and to report any such practices to the authorities. Perhaps we can all begin working together better if we are to see more positive change, wouldn’t you agree?
I had a bad day today here in Makati District Office. They took too much time to process registration of my vehicle!!! More than 4 hours!!!!!
This is fucking too much!!!