LTO to keep roads safe for school kids
UNDER the guidance of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II has directed all regional directors and other officials of the agency to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) and local offices of the Department of Education (DEPED) to assist in road safety measures as millions of students are expected to go back to the schools on Tuesday.
In a memorandum he issued to all LTO offices, Mendoza said close coordination with the LGUs, school authorities and other concerned agencies is necessary for a safe and orderly opening of the classes for both public and private schools in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
Part of the instructions in the memorandum is for LTO offices to ensure the road worthiness of public transportation and school services as well as assist in the management of traffic situations in schools located in major thoroughfares and traffic chokepoints.
“All concerned LTO officials are tasked to guarantee that all our roads will be safe for our teachers, students, and parents amid the resumption of classes. Inaasahan nating tataas ang volume ng sasakyan at tao sa daan dahil a balik-eskwela kaya naman dapat maging handa ang ating mga personnel sa pagpapatupad ng batas trapiko,” Mendoza said.
“Coordinate with traffic enforcers, school officials, the local government unit, and even with the Philippine National Police in your areas for a smooth and effective implementation of road regulations and traffic rules. Kung coordinated ang lahat ng ahensya ay mas maaayos nating maipapatupad ang mga regulasyon sa daan,” Mendoza said.
In the implementation of OPLAN: Balik Eskwela 2023, concerned LTO offices must maintain the visibility of law enforcement officers in areas that are identified as densely populated schools based on the list provided by the Department of Education.
Mendoza also tasked his men to keep an eye on overloaded, unregistered or those colorum school service vehicles and to also conduct verification of drivers’ license and motor vehicle registration.
The OPLAN: Balik Eskwela 2023 will run until September 8, 2023.
The schools in Metro Manila that are pre-determined as densely populated include the Batasan Hills National School in Batasan, Quezon City; Pres. Corazon C. Aquino Elementary School in Batasan, Quezon City; Dr. Alejandro Albert Elementary School in Sampaloc, Manila; and the Bagong Silangan Elementary School in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City.
Meanwhile, Mendoza also ordered the distribution of printed materials that will educate and remind motorists about land transportation laws and regulations.
“Ipaalala rin natin sa ating mga kababayan ang mga batas-trapiko na dapat nilang sundin upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa,” Mendoza said.
