The Land Transportation Office District Office in Bayawan City has emphasized that its Oplan Ligtas Byahe will be a regular implementation throughout the rest of the year and not just during the recent Halloween observance.
According to LTO-Bayawan District Office Chief Janine Flores-Lawas, the roadside operations will be done jointly with the Philippine National Police to ensure the safety of passengers and road users and the road-worthiness of vehicles.
Lawas disclosed on Thursday that the LTO is now strictly implementing traffic rules and regulations, specifically Republic Act 4136 or The Land Transportation and Traffic Code as well as Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 which has increased the fines and penalties of traffic violations.
This is because police records show that traffic-related incidents remain at the top of the list of the crime volume here and perhaps even in other areas in the country, Lawas added.
The LTO-Bayawan chief disclosed that even before the recent long weekend for the Undas or the Halloween activities, her office had already undertaken roadside and terminal inspections, putting emphasis on overloading of passenger buses and other vehicles.
In fact, one passenger jitney plying the route to the hinterland barangay of Dawis in Bayawan City was advised to stop ferrying passengers after it was found to be not safe and road-worthy, Lawas said.
The PNP has deployed personnel to assist and provide security in the roadside operations although Lawas clarified that they are not authorized as yet to enforce traffic laws as they are not yet deputized agents of the LTO.
Although around 70 PNP personnel from Negros Oriental and Siquijor had recently completed the LTO deputation seminar, it would still take time before their deputation will come out, considering the stringent requirements as well as time limitations, Lawas explained.
Deputation ends every 15th of December each year and so it is expected that these police officers will be deputized after having completed their requirements by next year already, she added. (PNA)