'No apprehension' of traffic rule violators amid fuel price hikes, solon urges LTO
Swerte Party-list Representative Arlyn Ayon asked the Land Transportation Office to consider easing the apprehension of motorists for traffic violations as fuel prices climb.
During the House Committee on Transportation hearing discussing the fuel situation on Wednesday, March 11, chairperson Rep. Franz S. Pumaren gave the floor to Ayon, who had a question to ask LTO chief Assistant Secretary Marcus V. Lacanilao.
"Pwede ba nating no apprehension muna for two weeks or three weeks for the meantime habang naghihirap 'yung ating mga tayo, habang lubog tayo ngayon sa kahirapan dahil sa sitwasyon natin?" Ayon asked.
"Wala munang huli, lalo na sa mga single motor, kasi 'yun ang ginagamit ng mga parents para sa paghatid ng mga bata sa school. O baka pwedeng bigyan muna natin ng status quo," she added.
Lacanilao stressed that such involves road safety. "'Yung mga inaapprehend po namin, 'yung may mga violations. So kung magcocomply po 'yung mga kababayan natin, at hindi sila gumagawa ng mga traffic violations, wala po silang problema sa 'min, sa LTO," Lacanilao replied.
Ayon then relayed the experience of one motorist whose truck was impounded and whose license was not renewed. The individual was fined a penalty of P1 million.
The solon conceded that violators do need to be apprehended. Still, she repeated her suggestion of a temporary hold of violator apprehensions "para at least matuwa naman ang ating mga motorista."
Lacanilao clarified that the individual was fined a hefty penalty for running a colorum bus.
"May batas po tayo; iligal po kasi 'yun, eh. Imagine po natin, kung 'yung sakay niya, naaksidente siya, mas malaking problema 'yun kasi iligal po siyang tumatakbo sa kalye," said Lacanilao.
He added that he closely monitors the enforcement of traffic apprehensions. If there are enforcers who abuse their power or unnecessarily inconvenience motorists, they are immediately relieved of their duties.
Ayon reiterated that she was suggesting the two-week easing of apprehensions even just for single motors.
Fuel prices in the Philippines started rising early this week due to the conflict in the Middle East. The war began on Feb. 28 when the US and Israel carried out joint attacks against Iran to neutralize Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Retaliatory attacks have upended the region, which supplies 98% of the Philippines' crude oil supply, according to the Philippine Information Agency.
