LTO to assist DepEd, LGUs for school opening

MANILA, Philippines — As most classes are set to begin tomorrow, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has directed its regional officers to ensure that all road safety measures are in place.

In a memorandum, LTO chief Vigor Mendoza directed all regional directors and other officials to coordinate with and provide the necessary support to local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

“All concerned LTO officials are tasked to guarantee that all our roads will be safe for our teachers, students and parents amid the resumption of classes,” Mendoza said.

LTO personnel, he added, should assist in the management of traffic situations in schools along major thoroughfares and traffic chokepoints.

“Coordinate with traffic enforcers, school officials, the LGUs, and even with the Philippine National Police in your areas for a smooth and effective implementation of road regulations and traffic rules,” the memorandum read in part.

Mendoza also ordered the LTO field officers to be on the lookout for overloaded, unregistered and colorum school service vehicles as well as conduct verification of drivers’ licenses and motor vehicle registrations.

According to Mendoza, Oplan Balik Eskwela 2023 will run until Sept. 8.

The LTO, he said, would deploy additional personnel in densely populated schools, including Batasan Hills National School, Pres. Corazon C. Aquino Elementary School and Bagong Silangan Elementary School – all in Quezon City – and the Dr. Alejandro Albert Elementary School in Sampaloc, Manila.

Mendoza also called on citizens to abide by traffic rules and regulations and follow the instructions of law enforcers on the road.