THE Land Transportation Office-National Capital Region Office West (LTO-NCR West) said offering a free theoretical driving course (TDC) and road safety awareness seminar in the first months of 2023 is part of their commitment to serve the public even better.

LTO-NCR West Regional Director Roque I. Verzosa III explained that the activities form part of the continuing responsibility of their office to have “safer roads” for all motorists.

He also stressed that the activities are being done under the guidance of LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Jose Antonio “Jay Art” Tugade.

Verzosa said following the opening of the LTO-NCR West’s Driver’s Education Center (DEC) at the regional office and another one at the LTO Pasay City Licensing Center, headed by Paquita dela Cruz and Allan Tecson, respectively, more than 300 students have already finished the free TDC offered by the two LTO facilities.

They expect the number of students graduating from the DEC to increase in the coming weeks.

Verzosa said having a DEC is one way for them to address complaints against undisciplined drivers and other motorists who wittingly and unwittingly violate traffic rules.

“Ang mga nakapagtapos ay agad na maaari nang makapag-apply ng student permit, sapagkat ang mga nasabing opisina ay may kakayahan para makapag-isyu nito,” Verzosa said.

Verzosa said more slots will be opened by the DEC for the free TDC in the first week of February. He said the facilities can accommodate as many as 30 students per session.

The LTO official said those interested may visit the LTO-NCR West’s official Facebook page to learn how to register for the free TDC.

“Maliban sa libreng TDC, patuloy rin ang pagsasagawa ng mga seminars patungkol sa mga batas trapiko, at kaligtasan sa daan na dinadaluhan ng mga operations managers, dispatchers, at iba pang tauhan ng mga bus companies,” Verzosa said.

Meanwhile, a road safety awareness seminar was held on Wednesday, February 1, at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) under the supervision of LTO Parañaque Licensing Center chief Ella D. Bautista.

Jason Salvador, Corporate Affairs and Government Relations Head at PITX, also gave a message during the seminar, which was attended by different personnel from bus companies operating at the terminal.

Among the topics discussed was the importance of being alert on the road, making sure that the bus that will be used is in good order, and for bus drivers to avoid drugs to ensure the safety of their passengers.

“Layunin ng mga gawaing ito na magkaroon tayo ng disiplinado at responsableng drayber sa pamamagitan ng pagtuturo ng mga tamang altituntunin patungkol sa batas-trapiko. Sa gayon, isang ligtas at mapayapang lansangan ang ating mararanasan sa daan na ligtas sa anumang sakuna,” he said.