BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The local government unit (LGU) of Baguio and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) inked a memorandum of agreement to promote road safety with the use of digital interconnectivity.
Under the agreement signed by City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and LTO Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza on June 26, 2024, the Baguio LGU will be interconnected with the LTO system, and will have data sharing for the efficient enforcement of traffic laws in the city.
Mendoza said Baguio City is the first major city in Northern Luzon that will now interlink with the LTO information system.
He added that the signing of the MOA is a first step in navigating technologies to expand the eyes and ears of the law enforcement. This is also an initial step for technology-assisted law enforcement.
“I’m sure the exchange of information will be both helpful in terms of traffic management, in terms of disciplining our drivers, in terms of streamlining the payment of penalties also at marami pa hong iba,” he stated.
Mendoza said this will also pave the way for hassle-free enforcement of traffic rules and regulations, and for promoting road safety on the ground.
“Yung mga hindi na-settle na fines and penalties sa Baguio, makaaapekto po sa pagrerehistro ng mga sasakyan at tsaka pag-renew ng mga lisensiya, kailangang i-settle po nila lahat ‘yan bago sila makapag-renew.”
[The unsettled fines and penalties in Baguio will affect the registration of vehicles and renewal of licenses. They have to settle these before they can renew.]
Mendoza clarified that the fees that will be collected will be for Baguio. The LTO’s role is to share technology and the necessary information to improve traffic law enforcement in the city.
Magalong said the data-sharing agreement and interconnectivity system with the LTO aims to ensure a sustainable, resilient, and efficient transportation ecosystem. This also aligns with the approved Smart Mobility Master Plan of the city and its commitment to reduce carbon emissions.
“We need data on vehicle registration, driver’s license, traffic violations committed by motorists and these essential data or critical data will be provided thru data-sharing with the Land Transportation Office,” Magalong said.
The mayor said the interconnectivity system is very timely with the plans to pursue a smart mobility transportation system. He emphasized that they do not aim to generate revenue; the ultimate objective is to change the behavior of drivers and motorists.
“Yung sistema natin, will be different from the system of MMDA. Sa MMDA, ang nangyayari, ‘pagka nagkahuli, it takes about three month, four months bago mabigyan ng notice ang violator. Pero dito, similar in system being implemented and applied in Singapore, in 24 hours, alam mo na kaagad. Kung hindi siya nagbabayad, pagdating dun sa registration, dun siya sisingilin,” Magalong elaborated.
[Our system will be different from the system of MMDA. In MMDA, it takes about three months, four months before a violator gets a notice. For us, it is similar in the system being implemented and applied in Singapore, in 24 hours, you know it. If he does not pay, and he goes for registration, he will have to pay.]
The LTO assured that they will have a team to constantly monitor and ensure the effective implementation of the system in the city. (DEG-PIA CAR)
