The Land Transportation Office District Office in Bayawan City will be strictly enforcing the laws against modified accessories following observations many motor vehicle owners continue to ignore previous warnings.
LTO-Bayawan District Office Chief Alberta Janine Flores Lawas disclosed Thursday that motor vehicles found with modified accessories will be impounded immediately.
This is in accordance with a memorandum issued earlier by the LTO Central Office that called the attention of LTO regional and district offices following observations of alterations, modifications and other physical changes to the body of a motor vehicle, said Lawas.
That is why upon application for new or renewal of registration, her office will conduct an inspection of the unit and ensure that nothing has been modified so that the owner will not avoid being penalized afterwards, she explained.
Owners whose units are found to have changes in the body of their motor vehicle are also advised to restore the unit to its original form before they can apply for registration or renewal, she said.
Lawas, however, lamented that after the registration process is done, some motor vehicle owners then proceed to remove, modify or do some changes to their unit.
One common violation is the use of modified mufflers, she said.
Even the absence of one side mirror is already a violation, and will cost the unit owner a stiffer fine under Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, Lawas explained.
During roadside operations, motor vehicles are thoroughly inspected and those found with violations will be immediately impounded, Lawas warned.
“That is our mandate and that is the law. We are just implementing it”, Lawas said.
The JAO 2014-01 of the LTO and the Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board has increased the fines and penalties of traffic violations as opposed to what is stipulated in Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
Lawas disclosed that deputized police personnel in her area of coverage are directed to issue Temporary Operators’ Permit to violators, based on the JAO 2014-01.
The LTO-Bayawan District Office’s area of coverage includes Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Bayawan City and Basay in northern Negros Oriental.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Highway Patrol Team in Negros Oriental, headed by Sr. Insp. Robelito Mariano, announced they will also step up their campaign against traffic violations, to include the law on helmet use.
Mariano said his office has already obtained a Temporary Operator’s Permit that allows them to apprehend traffic violators to include four-wheeled motor vehicles.
Also to be included in their campaign are illegally parked vehicles, tricycles without proper accessories and overloaded units, among others, he said.
With the TOP, the driver’s license of a violator will be confiscated and will be released upon payment of penalty fees within 72 hours.
The campaign if part of Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo’s aim to instill discipline on road users. (JFP)
