CEBU CITY -- The Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO-7) has apprehended a total of 25,112 traffic violators from January to June this year.
Transportation Office Regional Director Victor Emmanuel Caindec said Wednesday the number of apprehensions this year is 160 percent higher compared to the same period in 2018, which was only 9,657.
"Why was this possible? Because we have multiplied our force with the Philippine National Police (PNP)," Caindec said during the launching of its “Sugyot sa Katawhan” (Public Suggestions) road safety talk show here on Wednesday.
By deputizing the PNP, Caindec said LTO-7 was able to extend its apprehension and enforcement capabilities.
"What is also important is that we have prevented these 25,000 apprehended from possible accidents because most of them have no seatbelts and no helmets," he said.
Driving with no helmet, no seatbelt, no license, and no registration are the top four reasons for apprehension, Caindec noted.
The issuance of licenses this year, however, decreased by 10 percent. In the same period of last year, LTO-7 issued 284,805 licenses, but only handed out 255,696 this year.
Caindec said the decrease is because they have already stopped the corrupt practices of some LTO personnel and fixers.
"This means we are now very strict in the issuance of licenses. We also want to remind the people that having a license is not a right. It is a privilege. They have to take good care of this privilege," Caindec said.
The number of vehicles registered by LTO-7 also increased to 558,566 this year from 480,981 in 2018. (PNA)