Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) vowed to eradicate fixers at the new Land Transportation Office (LTO) – Dumaguete District Office facility in Negros Oriental.

Lacanilao, who is also LTO chief, led the inauguration and blessing of the first-ever private-public partnership project of this kind in Barangay Daro, with the LTO office serving as a one-stop shop for services required for various transactions with the agency.

“We have received reports of fixers at the old LTO office, which was a perennial problem, but I will not allow any illegal transactions to take place in this new facility,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

He warned fixers to start finding alternative sources of income, as they will no longer be allowed to operate their illicit transactions at the new LTO-Dumaguete office.

Regarding employees allegedly involved in illegal transactions, Lacanilao warned that those proven guilty will be subjected to reshuffling.

Registration of new vehicles will also be introduced at the LTO-Dumaguete, which was previously done in Cebu or other places, causing inconvenience to the public.

The DOTr official promised to enhance and expedite processes, including the renewal of driver’s licenses, in accordance with the government’s ease of doing business initiative.

Edward Du, president of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), said the chamber facilitated the creation of the new LTO-Dumaguete, with members of the chamber as investors.

He said the LTO will not be charged for rent and will receive a small percentage from the service providers renting spaces at the facility.

Certain service providers at the “one-stop shop” for LTO transactions consist of a driving school, an insurance agency, and a medical firm.

The facility also has wide parking spaces, with a portion to be utilized for driving lessons.

Du said an office of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will also be established within the LTO-Dumaguete compound.

Meanwhile, Lacanilao announced that the renewal of motor vehicle registrations, beginning in April, will be extended for three months.

He said this is part of government efforts under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to help the Filipino people cope with the rising cost of fuel and other necessities due to the Middle East conflict. (PNA)