Fixing the LTO

Ben Contreras

THIS week marks the beginning of the week-long celebration of the 104th anniversary of the Land Transportation Office nationwide. In LTO-Region 10, regional director Hilarion Ulep will lead a celebration with an array of programs.

Three years or so ago, Ulep breezed to town to take the helm of the office. The Cagayan de Oro Campaigners for Road Courtesy and Discipline (CDO-CRCD) under its president Dave Agudo paid a courtesy call to Ulep hoping to learn from him and get the support of his office to our undertakings in the spirit of volunteerism.

You should have seen that face of Ulep brutish as it may seem but can actually be as meek as a lamb, and capable of humor, too.

To allay our groundless fear, he said, “Salamat sa inyong pagtulong upang maisa-ayos ang ating trapiko. You are indeed our partners.” But one statement I can never forget was when he said, “Mga pare, hindi ako nagmamalinis. Pero hindi ako garapal.”

It is not just about being honest. It was more on correcting a public perception that this institution is not anything but corrupt.

The assistance and cooperation he gave our volunteer group prompted us to come out with a manifesto expressing our support for his administration. In trying to instill discipline and introduce reforms, he may have stepped over some people’s toes, people who may have been so accustomed to the old corrupt ways of doing things. But his detractors failed.

To highlight his accomplishments, he was able to lessen the existence of fixers by transferring the stenciling of engines inside the LTO compound. He made their system more accessible to everyone and installed monitoring devises to show video of how things work inside and the procedures to follow by the public. This will eliminate red tape.

Streamlining the licensing and registration process makes it easier for motorist and shortens the time for waiting.

To instill discipline, Ulep introduced the Personal Locator Slip to prevent anyone from moonlighting. He also made the deputation process easier and without processing fee but still stringent.

Team building has been strengthened through more seminars and sometimes, Lakbay Aral. As such, LTO Region 10 had been a two-consecutive year awardee for team building.

Nope, he is not a Duterte but he strictly enforced the No Smoking policy in his compound and at any work office. As such, LTO Region 10 was twice awarded the Orchid Award by the Department of Health.

Major accomplishments for him are: first to successfully host the RD (Regional Directors) Conference in February 2015, conversion of the LTO Tangub City and Tubod Extension Offices into District Offices and the establishment of the New Registration Office.

As for the comfort of LTO employees, Ulep put up a better water system by putting up more big water tanks.

Ulep acknowledges the many shortcomings of LTO that drew public criticisms. While he may sound apologetic, he stressed that these are more a national policy lapses that are nevertheless being addressed.

Ulep has made his office accessible to anyone. All you need to do is see him and ask for an audience. That’s public service to him.

To LTO Region 10, happy 104th anniversary!