LTO collects P986.5M from traffic violators
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tuesday reported that it collected P986.5 million in penalties from people caught violating traffic regulations all over the country in the first half of the year. LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said in a statement that the revenue collection from fines and penalties was part of the agency’s efforts to intensify road safety measures and ensure road courtesy and discipline.
“The almost P1 billion collection from fines and penalties alone is a result of the hard work of our law enforcers and other personnel on the ground. We cannot achieve this without their dedication and commitment to ensure road safety,” he said.
Based on the LTO’s data, a total of 330,073 motorists were apprehended nationwide from Jan. 1 to June 30 this year for various offenses. Some, however, have yet to pay their fines or penalties.
“We are expecting that this figure will rise as soon as the apprehended will settle fines and penalties. That is why we are asking them to settle on time because failure to do so would only result in the payment of higher fines and penalties. In short, they will pay more,” Mendoza said.
“As much as possible, we in the LTO do not want motorists to pay any fine or penalty. But in the interest of the rule of law and road safety, we have to do this if this is what it takes to compel them to be disciplined and behaved while on the road,” he added.
—JEROME ANING
Hiring of women as barangay ‘tanod’ backed
A party list lawmaker on Tuesday backed the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) move encouraging the hiring of female barangay “tanod” or public safety officers, saying it would make villages more effective and responsive in handling cases involving women and children.
Bicol Saro party list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan, a former DILG assistant secretary, lauded Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.’s inclusion of a provision in his June 26 Memorandum Circular 2024-086 pushing for the recruitment of women as barangay public safety officers.
“To promote gender equality, women empowerment and participation, it is highly encouraged to recruit women to serve as Barangay Tanod. Moreover, recruitment should not be discriminatory as to the gender and sexuality of the volunteer,” Abalos said.
“Complaints in which women and children are the victims, such as those involving abuse and violence, are better handled by female barangay public safety officers or tanod,” Yamsuan said. “Women are as capable as men in keeping peace and order in our communities.”
—JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE
