PHOTO BY: DANI LAGMAN | MALOLOS CITY, BULACAN
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Friday said he has given Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao until December 8 to resolve issues causing long delays in the processing of jeepney registration papers.
Lopez said he also ordered Lacanilao to determine which specific LTO offices were responsible for the bottlenecks amid mounting complaints from transport groups.
Traditional jeepneys are required to meet updated registration rules issued by the LTO and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) as part of compliance with the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
“I told LTO Asec. Lacanilao last night that I am giving him until Monday. I also don’t know the full extent of the registration issues,” Lopez said in Filipino during an interview over DZMM, noting that Manibela’s concerns extend beyond Metro Manila.
Lopez said he also instructed LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II to carefully review the memorandum circular on provisional authority for traditional jeepneys and determine whether it should be extended for another six months.
He emphasized that consolidation and modernization must continue, saying both government and operators share responsibilities under the modernization program.
Lopez also ordered Lacanilao to investigate allegations of a payola system involving traffic enforcers and directed him to hold accountable anyone involved.
“He must have them line up and name names. They should not be afraid. We will file cases and remove them from their positions,” Lopez said.
He stressed that government workers engaged in extortion have “no place in public service,” especially amid heightened public scrutiny over corruption.
Transport group Manibela earlier announced a nationwide strike to protest delays in registration and alleged widespread extortion by transportation authorities.