NAVAL, Biliran (PIA) -- In a bold move to further strengthen the agency's implementation on traffic rules and regulations, the district office of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) this town, deputized a number of cops in the province of Biliran.

At the PIA-Biliran’s Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan radio program over t Radio Natin-Naval on June 24, Mario V. Cordero, the newly-designated officer-in-charge of LTO-Naval District Office, said they have conducted deputization seminar on April 20-21 to some 40 police officers coming from the eight towns of the province.

The idea of deputizing police officers came after Cordero learned based on his office's record, that there are still plenty of drivers in the province who have no license and whose vehicles are not registered or whose registration are not renewed.

"Our office is undermanned," Cordero admitted, such that conducting operations on apprehension is seldom done.

He also said these 40 deputized police officers, as scheduled per town, will start their on-the-job training (OJT) in Naval starting July 5.

A Temporary Operator's Permit (TOP) will be issued to them after their OJT for them to use once they apprehended a traffic violator, said Cordero.

According to him, four police officers will be deployed in each of the municipalities in the province.

Cordero strongly urged the public to register their vehicle and to secure a driver's license.

LTO made these steps to avoid more traffic violations, and to get funds since 85% of their revenues goes to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to finance roads and bridges’ projects. (LDL/Ana Marie KaagbayPIA-8/Biliran)