‘New LTO chief won’t succeed if superiors stay the same’

MANILA, Philippines - Two senior pro-administration lawmakers are skeptical that new director Roberto Cabrera would be able to effectively confront the complicated problems hounding the Land Transportation Office (LTO) if his superiors remain the same.

Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian hopes that Cabrera can make good his vow to end the backlogs in driver’s licenses and vehicle plates.

 “This is the first time the public has experienced this atrocious backlog on the licenses and plates – we’ve never encountered this and it’s getting worse – so I see this as a leadership or management problem,” he said.

Any organization takes its culture from the attitude of its leaders, the House of Representatives committee on Metro Manila development vice chairman said.

 “The problem is that the higher-ups are indecisive and if that continues to be the case, then the situation will be the same or get worse,” he said.

The backlog in the issuance of driver’s licenses hurts ordinary people as it is also used as an identification card in transactions, Gatchalian said.

Among the hardest hit are drivers of public utility vehicles, he added.

Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting  shook his head when he read in the news that Cabrera would seek the help of President Aquino and Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya in dealing with problems at the LTO.

“He (Cabrera) is the third LTO chief since 2010, and even if Malacañang replaces him again next month, the problems at the LTO will remain,” he said.

 “It will not be easy, even for the next president, to untangle the mess and mismanagement left by the present administration because of their ‘teka-teka’ (indecisive) style.” 

It was also possible that vested interests emanating from higher ups would leave the LTO chief helpless, Tambunting said.

 “I wish him (Cabrera) the best and also my support but I know, the blame will not be significantly and entirely his,” he said.

Cabrera has expressed confidence in resolving the LTO’s legal problems, as well as the backlog in the delivery of car plates and license cards within the last six months of the administration.

He said he would face the problems head on with the help of the President, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and even his predecessor, Alfonso Tan Jr.

 “So far, I feel confident that with the help of the government, the President, the DOTC and everyone there, including the outgoing Asec. Tan, hopefully it would be resolved,” he said.