LGU Naga, LTO ink pact on traffic violation record

By Jason B. Neola

The City Government of Naga (CGN) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Bicol region signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Monday, Aug. 9 to help the government agency to come up with a centralized record system for violations of traffic rules and regulations.

Under the MOA, the CGN will provide traffic violation information to the LTO and assist the government agency to improve the traffic system within the city’s territorial jurisdiction.

Mayor Nelson Legacion said the city government under the MOA will also assist LTO in the implementation of road safety rules and regulations, and will transmit the apprehension reports in the form described by LTO containing all the information relevant to the traffic violations within 10 working days from the date of apprehension to LTO Naga City District Office.

The agreement also required the CGN to submit a complete updated report on apprehension cases indicating whether such apprehension was admitted, uncontested, affirmed or dismissed on adjudication not later than three working days from the lapse of the prescribed contest period of the apprehending agency in order to record demerit point(s) against the violator.

Article II of the MOA states that the LTO will institutionalize a point system, which shall be used to access the fitness and eligibility of driver-applicants for their desired license transactions.

Under Section 26 of Republic Act No. 4136, it is provided that any holder of a professional or nonprofessional driver’s license who has not committed any violation and other traffic laws, rules, and regulations during the 5-year period shall be entitled to a renewal of such license for 10 years, subject to the restrictions as may be imposed by the LTO.

The LTO, however, will promulgate requirements and guidelines before the grant of driver’s licenses to ensure that their recipients are deserving applicants with sufficient driving skills and knowledge on road safety and proper road courtesy.

“The system will be utilized as a primary tool to identify, deter, and penalize repeat offenders of traffic laws and ordinances, LTO-Bicol Regional Director Francisco Ranches Jr., said.

FIST BUMP Mayor Nelson Legacion (4th from left) fist bumps with LTO Regional Director Ranches (4th from right) after the signing of the memorandum of agreement on Aug. 9. Photo also shows (from left to right) Councilors Miles Raquid-Arroyo, Greg Abonal, Oying Rosales and Elmer Baldemoro (partly hidden), Jessie Albeus, and Dodit Beltran. JBN/DENG MALATE

Included in the duties of the LTO, Ranches said, is to place on alarm in the agency’s Law Enforcement and Traffic Adjudication System the driver licenses of the violators attached in the apprehension reports submitted by the CGN within 24 hours from receipt of the report.

“We shall also impose a demerit point against the driver-violator based on the city’s complete updated report on apprehension cases indicating whether such apprehension was admitted, uncontested, or affirmed or dismissed on adjudication. We shall not process or issue any motor vehicle registration or driver’s license renewal if the applicant has an alarm in LTO’s database on pending settlement,” he said.

Legacion was authorized by the Sangguniang Panlungsod to enter into such undertaking with the LTO through the resution sponsored by Councilor Joselito S.A. del Rosario and Youth Councilor Averly Jerryl A. Escoto.