LTO turns fixers into groomers

Scissors and beauty kits.

These are the weapons being used by Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Roberto Lastimoso in neutralizing a well-entrenched fixing syndicate operating right at the LTO central office on East Avenue in Quezon City.

Lastimoso, former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said he has introduced a livelihood program for fixers as an alternative to filing criminal cases against them.

The livelihood program includes seminars on haircutting for men, and manicure and pedicure training for women.

"We have already conducted three seminars for the former fixers. Some of them are now working as barbers and manicurist near the LTO office," Lastimoso said during the weekly Ciudad Fernandina Forum at Greenhills.

He said most would rather make a living cutting hair than fixing documents at the compound.

He noted that the problem of "fixing" and fake drivers licenses has gone on for so long at the LTO main office that it is now referred to as "a cottage industry" among the residents of Barangay Pinyahan, located at the back of the LTO. – Perseus Echeminada