DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade brought good news to Caviteños on the significant transport initiatives in the province during the inauguration the new District Office of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Imus Cavite, Wednesday.

In his message, Tugade assured that he will push for the implementation of the DOTr Free Ride Service Program for Health Workers, Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs), and other essential workers in Cavite. The “Libreng Sakay” program of the DOTr provides free transportation to essential workers, frontliners and APORs.

“Magkakaroon ho ng libreng sakay para sa mga frontliners, APORs at essential workers at ipagtutulakan ko ‘yan dito sa Cavite,” Sec. Tugade stressed.

Tugade also announced that despite the pandemic, the DOTr is continuing to complete vital infrastructure projects in Cavite, including the much-anticipated LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project.

“Ipagtutulakan ko na matapos ang mga istraktura at istasyon ng partial operability section ng LRT-1 Cavite Extension bago matapos ang termino ng Pangulo,” Tugade said.

Tugade also assured that there will be no fare hikes under his term as he appealed to drivers of public utility vehicles to help fellow Filipinos during the pandemic by not pushing for fare hikes.

“Pakiusap ko lang mamang tsuper, mamang driver, bus operator wala ho akong patakaran na mag-aallow na i-increase n’yo ‘yung pamasahe because during my term, no increases in fare rates. ‘Wag nyong gawin ‘yan,” Tugade said.

Meanwhile, local government officials lauded Tugade for his strong commitment to Caviteños as they reminded the personnel of the Imus LTO office to serve the public well.

“Ito po ay proyekto na kung saan nga po ay walang ginastos ang gobyerno, ang pakiusap lang ho ay mapagsilbihan nang maayos ang ating mga kababayan. Sana po ay hindi sila maghintay nang matagal at ibigay po natin ang tamang serbisyo,” said Cavite 3rd District Representative Alex Advincula, whose efforts made the realization of the LTO Imus DO possible.

“Kami pong mga taga-Imus ay very thankful sa inyo Secretary, sa efforts ng Advincula family, sa efforts ng LTO. This will be a long way to public service,” Cavite Governor Juanito Victor Remulla said.

The new Imus LTO Office, which was funded and constructed by the family of Congressman Advincula is a two-storey facility complete with parking spaces and impounding areas.

According to LTO R4A Regional Director Noreen San Luis-Lutey, the LTO Imus District Office started its operation on 2 August 2018 at the old building vacated by LTO Bacoor in Palico in Imus, Cavite. It was later transferred to the new location due to the increasing demand and growing number of clients in the area.

“Today we have realized our collective aspiration. We have inaugurated LTO Imus, which is the most beautiful and ultra-modern not only in CALABARZON but in the entire country,” the LTO RD said.

The DOTr continues to upgrade and build new LTO offices nationwide to provide better service to the public. Since Secretary Tugade assumed office in 2016, the DOTr added 132 LTO Extension Offices, District Offices, Licensing Centers, and Driver’s Licence Renewal Offices, including the new office in Imus, Cavite.

For his part, LTO Chief Asec. Edgar Galvante said that the construction of the new office is proof of the good relation between the LTO and the local government of Cavite.

“Sana po ang magandang gusali natin ay tumbasan ninyo ng maganda at maayos na serbisyo,” Galvante added.

In his message to the personnel of the new LTO office, Secretary Tugade also underscored the importance of upholding values, cultures and ways of doing things in the performance of their duties.

“Hindi ho ba dapat lang na yung processing time ay iklian yan nang sa ganon ang oras ay hindi naaaksaya sa pag aantay, ang oras ay nagagawa sa tamang paglilingkod at tamang pamamaraan. Kaya nga sabi ng Pangulo, i-reduce niyo ang processing time, kung anong nagagawa ng 1 month gawin ninyong 15 days, ‘yung nagagawa ng 15 days gawin ninyong 1 week, ‘yung nagagawa ng 1 week gawin ninyong 3 araw, ‘yung nagagawa ng 3 araw gawin niyo sa isang araw nang sa ganon sasabihin ng ating mga kababayan na kombinyente ang mag-transact with LTO,” Secretary Tugade said.

He also warned the LTO personnel to stay clear of corruption and not engage with fixers.

Dapat walang korapsyon. Walang fixer sa labas. At p^t@ng in@, walang fixer sa loob. Dapat walang bahid ng kurapsyon at alinlangan ang mga tao kung tayo ay nagseserbisyo. Dapat ang persepsyon sa mga taong nagtatrabaho dito malinis ang lahat,” Secretary Tugade stressed.

Secretary Tugade ended his message with a reminder for everyone to strictly observe basic health and safety protocols amid the pandemic. He also urged LTO personnel to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Tayo ho ay pandemya ngayon, wag nating kakalimutan yung mga basic health protocols, face shield, face mask, washing of hands, social distancing. At kung hahangarin ho natin ang isang magandang new normal, kung gugustuhin natin na magkaroon ng kaaya-aya at magadang kinabukasan na kung saan lahat nag-eenjoy, kailangan ang vaccination. Sama-sama tayo sa bakuna para sa ganon mapadali ang pagpuksa sa kalabang COVID-19,” Tugade said.