Watchdog group asks Tugade to probe LTO-7 Director Caindec

A good governance watchdog group called on Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to probe the Land Transportation Office-Central Visayas director over complaints of delays in the processing and release of official receipts and certificates of registration of new vehicles.

Pinoy Aksyon for Governance and the Environment sent a letter to Tugade to look into the allegations made against LTO-7 Director Victor Caindec.

“Early this year, there were loud public complaints against LTO Central Visayas (LTO 7) Dir. Victor Caindec. The issues were valid and may need urgent probe,” Pinoy Aksyon’s letter Tugade dated June 11, 2020 read.

“We understand that the attention of the nation was sidetracked and focused on the COVID-19 pandemic. But we also thought there is a need to look into, revisit the issues raised against the official of the LTO in Region 7, an agency under your office,” the group added.

The intervention of the group, according to chairperson BenCy G. Ellorin was fuelled by complaints from stakeholders in Region 7 of “inadvertent and unprecedented delays” in the processing and release of official receipts and certificates of registration of new vehicles.

Ellorin said the issues “cannot just be swept under the rug.”

“In this time crises, the more government should prove deep into this kind of issues,” Ellorin said, adding that the issues remain unresolved and pervasive.

“[W]e ask your office to investigate the LTO-7 headed by Dir. Caindec. We understand from the stakeholders, both dealers and consumers, that the issues against him need decisiveness if good governance is to be given primordial consideration,” the group said.

As the country transitions into the “new normal,” the group said the reduced capacity of public transport has been causing problems for the people, especially the workers.

“Both the shortfalls in the public transportation and changes in the methods of doing business necessitates mobility adaptation. Mobility is essential, and the motorcycle for example is a transportation option for the poor. For this to happen, government has to be an enabler not a stumbling block,” the group said.

Pinoy Aksyon further explained that it is taking the issue with Tugade with the “firm belief in the reform agenda” of the Department of Transportation.

“As an advocacy group, Pinoy Aksyon engages the bureaucracy including its quasi-judicial bodies to redress public grievances, and generally as part of the Constitutionally protected right to redress grievances against the government,” it said.

“We believe that this engagement strengthens our public institutions, and would generally result in improved public service,” it added.

GMA News Online had sought comment from LTO-7 and its director regarding the matter but has yet to receive a response as of posting time. — DVM, GMA News