KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- Enforcers of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Soccsksargen started using an automated handheld device for the issuance of tickets to traffic violators on Monday.
LTO 12 regional director Macario Gonzaga told Philippine Information Agency that enforcers are issued with law enforcement handheld mobile devices (LEHMD) that would be used to issue electronic Temporary Operators’ Permits (e-TOP), replacing handwritten TOPs.
“We are one of those who are first to implement. Ang mandate sa amin is we have to start. The memo says effective February 6, we have to start implementing e-TOP in our law enforcement campaign,” Gonzaga said.
An LTO briefer states that the LEHMD has a camera and fingerprint scanner that can be used by an LTO enforcer to verify whether the license presented is real or fake. They can also use the camera as a facial recognition scanner.
These devices use two mobile data SIM cards for internet connectivity to transmit data to the LTO online system and in case there is no data connection, the LEHMD can still issue a traffic violation ticket.
“If and when na unfortunately ikaw ay na-flag down, then immediately wala nang manual TOP. Sa gadgets na lang na gamit, ma-confiscate ang lisensya mo, then whatever is your violation, it will transmit electronically dito sa amin. Makita agad sa system, pakita mo lang ang resibo mo. In a single click, makita na sa computer, sa system namin, bayad ka na lang, settle the penalty, mas madali,” Gonzaga said.
The official also pointed out that this initiative is part of the agency’s drive towards digitalization and efforts to curb corruption.
“Nakita natin na this is for the good of everybody. The thrust of our new assistant secretary is we want it transparent in all our transactions, especially itong mga law enforcement natin noon, not only LTO, may mga deputized agents tayo na na-aallege na nagkokotong. Dito, maiwasan natin ito. Sa mandate din ng ating presidente, dapat transparent tayo sa ating transaction, lalong-lalo na, they will crusade, maiwasan natin itong corruption sa gobyerno," the official added.
LTO also ensured that enforcers are all trained before deployment, making them fully capable of implementing this new program . (PIA XII)
