"The public can report such violations to the LTO hotline, tel no. 921-9072, but we encourage them to present evidence like photographs or videos taken of vehicles in places where there is no official business," said Lontoc.


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Red plates watch nets 11 LGU violators

http://news.inq7.net/metro/index.php...story_id=11003

Updated 11:28pm (Mla time) Sept 14, 2004
By Clarissa Batino
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page A24 of the September 15, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


ELEVEN of the 26 red plate vehicles caught being used for unofficial business by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) were issued to local government units (LGUs) mostly in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, according to LTO head Anneli Lontoc.

As part of cost-cutting measures, Malacañang ordered public officials and employees last week to use government service vehicles only on official business.

"We have submitted a list of the 26 government vehicles seen in schools and malls, obviously not on official business. The list is already with Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita. In time, maybe the ES could bare the list," said Lontoc.

Verification

"Of the 26, 11 were registered under LGUs, 10 of which were local governments in the National Capital Region," she added. "The rest are registered under government agencies and corporations, and one belonged to a state university."

The LTO began its monitoring of red plate vehicles last Sept. 8. Lontoc said the results were culled from five days of monitoring. Apart from the red plates, state-owned vehicles used to exhibit "government use only" markings painted on the side.

Information on the registration of the red plates was verified with the LTO database.

Appeal to public

The LTO, meanwhile, appealed to the public for help in monitoring abuses made by public officials who use their government vehicles to bring their children to school or their families to the malls.

"The public can report such violations to the LTO hotline, tel no. 921-9072, but we encourage them to present evidence like photographs or videos taken of vehicles in places where there is no official business," said Lontoc.

The transportation department also warned users of red plate cars not to violate traffic regulations.

Drive expanded

Transport Secretary Leandro Mendoza said most drivers of these vehicles violate traffic rules with impunity as they are emboldened by the reluctance of traffic enforcers to flag them down for traffic infractions.

"Public office demands high standards for government officials, " the DOTC head said. "I think this campaign to monitor the unauthorized use of government vehicles should be widened to cover other violations committed by drivers of government-issued vehicles."

Traffic police must strictly enforce road regulations, and this includes not ignoring violations committed by drivers of government vehicles, he added.