LTO, DPWH, HPG Apprehend 191 Violators in Three-Day Operation

The Land Transportation Office (LTO), together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), conducted anti-overloading operations in 11 weighing stations of Metro Manila from May 21 to 23, 2018.

"We have conducted this inter-agency initiative to ensure compliance to the different land transportation laws, thus, prevent road traffic incidents,” said LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar C. Galvante.

The three-day operation resulted in the apprehension of 191 violators of different transportation laws. A total of 325 trucks were flagged down during the operations. Of these, 108 trucks were issued citation tickets for violation of Republic Act No. 8794 or the Anti-Overloading Law; 20 failed the Anti-Smoke Belching test under R.A. 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act; and 63 trucks were cited for various violations of the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of 1964 or R.A. 4136.

According to LTO- National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Director Atty. Clarence V. Guinto, 11 composite teams was formed for the operations. He said that each team was composed of seven LTO personnel, 12 DPWH personnel, and five elements of the PNP.

"The concerned agencies are resolute in its enforcement duty to ensure safety along Metro Manila roads, and reduce, if not eliminate road crash incidents," LTO- NCR Regional Director Guinto said.

It may be recalled that on March 9, 2018, a wayward truck overloaded with cargo killed a pedestrian and injured several others along the Batasan – San Mateo road.

During the post operations debriefing, the team leaders decided to conduct more operations. Coordination between the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will likewise be undertaken for more aggressive and intel-driven anti-overloading operations.

The successful operations was a result of a series of coordinating conferences between the LTO, DPWH, and PNP-HPG. Prior to the operations, former LTO-Chief Alberto Suansing gave a lecture on the technical aspects of the anti-overloading law. The meetings were facilitated by Quezon City Representative (2nd District) Winnie Castelo, Chairman of the Metro Manila Development Council (MMDC).