LTO chief vows to end ‘palakasan’, weed out fixers

By Rio N. Araja

LAND Transportation Office (LTO) chief

Vigor Mendoza II on Thursday vowed to protect the integrity of the agency from the bad image that haunted it over the years, such as the “palakasan system” aggravated by the presence of fixers.

He cited the mandate of Transportation

Secretary Jaime Bautista on the need to protect the integrity of the LTO from individuals tainting its image by boasting that they could bend the rules of all transactions through their connections.

Mendoza was reacting to the arrest of a 37-year-old Muntinlupa City resident after posing as a liaison officer from the Office of the President to collect over P500,000 from an applicant for motor vehicle registration. A renewed crackdown was also launched against fixers, resulting in the arrest of nine people during an operation in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Those arrested were identified as Alberth Santos, 31; Archie Sesbreño, 48; Vicente Pinon III, 42; Melvin Reoloso, 39; Markley Naloste, 44; Jeffrey Balsote, 39; Richard Bando, 41; Dexter Tequin, 26, and Ovito Medallo, 57.

“These people have been besmirching our image and integrity in public,” Mendoza stressed.

The agency’s other stakeholders would also be involved in the changes within the LTO.

DPWH starts work on N. Vizcaya road

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started the construction of the P84 million Bayombong Quezon-Bagabag Diversion Road designed to hasten the delivery of goods and boost the economy in Nueva Vizcaya’s rural areas, particularly the towns of Bayombong and Bagabag.

The committee also declined Villaflor’s excuse that she did not allow the 10 Cagayan provincial officials to attend the congressional hearings, citing “prior scheduled activities, includingthe distribution of financial and relief assistance for Typhoon Egayvictims, as well as the finalization of their post-disaster assessment.”

But it was later found in the hearing that the 10 officials would have wanted to testify as resource persons at the House only if Villaflor signed their travel papers and other documents allowing them to come to Congress. Maricel V. Cruz

DPWH Regional 2 Reynaldo Alconcel said the diversion road project will be a 3.52-kilometer, 2-lane road that will serve as a crucial alternative route for vehicles traveling between Bambang and Bayombong, offering relief from traffic congestion along the existing main highway.

“The construction of this road will not only divert traffic along Maharlika Highway, but also serve as a quick and safe way around it. The project will also greatly benefit the livelihood of residents along the traversed areas,” DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said.

Vito Barcelo

12TH HPV SUMMIT.

Dr.Carmen Auste of the Eliminate Cervical Cancer Movement speaks about the HPV infection and cervical cancer at the opening of the “One Community Against HPV, 12th HPV Summit at Novotel Manila in Araneta Center, Quezon City. HPV Summit is a platform meant to engage all sectors sharing the goal of battling Human Papillomavirus and cervical cancer in the Philippines.

Manny Palmero