Group slams plan to move LTO office

A GROUP of insurance agents yesterday filed a petition to stop the transfer of the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) mobile office in Barangay Puerto, this city, to Balingasag in Misamis Oriental.

At least 13 members of the Puerto Insurance Association sent the petition to LTO assistant secretary Edgar Agravante.

The group said LTO-10 director Oscar Salcedo plans to relocate the mobile office to Balingasag town.

Simplicio “Popoy” Navarro, spokesman and president of the association, said copies of the petition were also sent to Salcedo, Mayor Oscar Moreno, Vice Mayor Joaquin Rainier Uy, the city council, and the Puerto barangay council.

“Dili kami mosugot nga ibalhin ang LTO extension office didto sa Balingasag kay kini nga opisina nakatabang og dako sa income sa LTO regional office dinhi sa Cagayan de Oro,” Navarro said.

He said Salcedo’s plan was “unfair,” adding that there was not even a public consultation.

Navarro said they first learned about the plan from Balingasag Mayor Marieta Abogado who revealed the plan on Monday.

Salcedo confirmed the plan to move the mobile office from Puerto to Balingasag next year.

“Sa January next year, kinahanglan nga tua na kana sa Balingasag nga opisina,” he said.

Salcedo said there is no need for a public consultation since the facility is neither an extension nor a district office.

Salcedo said the facility is a “mobile LTO office” which can be moved around, and to where the facility is most needed.

“Kay mobile office man namo kini, buot pasabot nga amo kining maguyod-guyod sa bisan asang lungsod sa Region 10 nga nagkinahanglan sa among serbisyo,” Salcedo said.

Salcedo said Balingasag officials have long been requesting LTO for a mobile office to serve people in eastern Misamis Oriental.

“Ang akong area tibuok Region 10, dili lang Cagayan de Oro. Natural nalang nga ako pud nga ipaduol ang serbisyo sa LTO didto sa lungsod nga layo dinhi sa syudad,” Salcedo explained. (nitz arancon)