LTO imposes stricter rules as offices reopen

LEGAZPI CITY --- After two months of being closed to the public, the Land Transportation Offices (LTO) in three Albay cities has reopened on Wednesday, May 20, but with stricter policies and limitation of accepting clients to ensure the safety and prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) among its clients.

Earlier, on May 13, the agency’s offices in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Masbate have resumed their operations.

Grace Rojas, LTO Albay district officer said that they have limited the number of visiting clients to avoid congestion and observe social distancing in LTO offices.

The agency also put up a misting area to disinfect all clients before they are allowed entry in the LTO district office located at the Embarcadero de Legazpi.

“We cannot combat the spread of coronavirus if we don’t cooperate and responsible enough to fight the pandemic. This is not only the responsibility of the media, the police but all people to be able to meet our goal to fight the coronavirus pandemic,” Rojas said.

Vincent Nato, LTO Bicol assistant regional director said in an interview over DZGB radio station that its regional including district offices will reopen tomorrow (Wednesday) May 20.

He said the offices that will open in Albay on Wednesday are the regional office as well as the Legazpi District Office, both in Legazpi City; Ligao District Office in Ligao City and Tabaco District Office in Tabaco City.

“We are urging everyone transacting with LTO to strictly follow sanitary protocols by wearing face masks and observe safe social distancing to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19),” he said.

There will be no priority transactions for the opening in Albay offices. The agency will not also allow below 21 years old, above 60 years old, and pregnant women to make transactions at LTO offices for their safety, the LTO official said.

The reopening of the agency’s Albay offices is the result of the imposition of the general community quarantaine (GCQ) in the province on Saturday (May 16) from its previous status under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).