Baguio LGU asks LTO to deputize local traffic enforcers

MANILA: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) accepted the request of Baguio City government to train and deputize its enforcers so they could implement local traffic laws in the area.

LTO Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Regional Director Francis Ray Almora added that they had been to different provinces to train the agents who would be deputized.

“Trainings are regularly conducted for the agents,” he said.

Although they are mandated to implement traffic and transportation laws and to inform drivers of the importance of adhering to road safety, he claimed that their limited manpower prevented them from regularly holding road operations.

“That is why we deputize agents so that even if we are not around, enforcing road laws that will translate to road safety can be pursued by the local agents,” Almora stated.

According to Almora, he expects that the LTO's system would take local agents' concerns into account in order to establish the driver's license demerit system, which converts violations into points that will either terminate or suspend an individual's license or prohibit them from a 10-year license validity.

According to LTO rules and policies, deputation is only granted for active members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and local government units who hold permanent position items and whose current work assignments are inextricably linked to traffic management and control.

If the vehicle being driven was involved in an accident or had a traffic violation, and the person had been granted a temporary operator's permit with a 72-hour validity, traffic officers have the right to seize their driver's license.

Almora stated that they are deputizing local government traffic enforcers under the condition that they complete the necessary training. The deputation allows the agent to seize driver's licenses and license plate numbers from those that have violated any existing land transportation laws, rules, or regulations.

Through its council, the city government requested that the LTO-CAR train local police officers, barangay tanods, members of the City Public Order and Safety Division, and traffic enforcers on traffic regulations.

Local traffic enforcers are not allowed to confiscate a driver's license or a license plate without a deputation; they can only issue traffic violation tickets.

Photo from Land Transportation Office

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