LTO agrees to deputize Iloilo city traffic aides
The conflict between the Iloilo city government and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has finally been settled with the mediation of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
In yesterday's dialog with Atty. Jesus Duque, chief of the trial division of the DILG central office, the LTO agreed to deputize all of the city's traffic auxiliaries.
The deputization would mean that the city's traffic aides can apprehend and confiscate the driver's licenses of traffic violators provided it would be endorsed to the LTO.
However, in case of vehicular accidents the driver's license shall be surrendered to the Traffic Management and Engineering Unit (TMEU) for the filing of cases.
Earlier, LTO regional director Gerard Camiña declared that only LTO personnel can confiscate the driver's license of traffic violators and can issue the Temporary Operator's Permit (TOP).
The move elicited negative responses from city officials particularly City Councilor Erwin Plagata, chair of committee on transportation, and Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Plagata said LTO's move contradicts the city's existing traffic ordinance.
He said the city government has the right to pass traffic rules and regulations within its jurisdiction.
In yesterday's dialog it was agreed that the traffic aides will be allowed to issue either the TOP of the city or the LTO but the violation of the city ordinance must be specified.
It was also reached that the city government will be allowed to detail one bonded personnel at the LTO to collect fines.
Mayor Treñas in an interview with GMA Network's Ratsada newscast said the agreement reached during the dialog will be put in writing and would be endorsed to the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP).
The SP will then give authority for the mayor to sign the agreement.
Treñas said he will present the agreement during the conference of the League of Cities of the Philippines, which he chairs, in Manila on Thursday.
He said, he will also ask LTO chairman, Assistant Secretary Arturo Lomibao to sign the agreement before the presence of other city mayors and President Gloria Arroyo if she arrives.
Treñas said the agreement will serve as a template for other cities in the country that might have similar problems with the LTO.
“We have the assurance of LTO that in the meantime that this MOA is not yet officially signed and confirmed by the city council they will respect the TOP issued by the city,” Treñas said. (With reports from PNA)