As Lenten exodus looms, LTO deploys enforcers at SLEX

Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, ordered on Sunday the deployment of the agency’s enforcers in San Miguel Corporation-operated expressways in Luzon.

Mendoza explained that the deployment of LTO enforcers was aimed at ensuring order and motorists’ safety along the expressways amid the ongoing protest actions of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) deputized enforcers, apparently over a labor dispute, under the guidance of DoTr Secretary Vince Dizon.

“Our goal is to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and the safety of all motorists traveling along the affected expressways,” Mendoza said.

Citing the initial result of the investigation, the SLEX deputized enforcers’ protest action prompted the SMC management to pull out its enforcers in other expressways and deploy them along SLEX.

Mendoza said there is a need for LTO intervention on the enforcement aspect since what is at stake is the safety of all motorists traveling along the affected areas.

As part of this measure, he said he already tasked the LTO regional directors of the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and National Capital Region to mobilize enforcement teams for deployment.

Based on the order, LTO Region 1 and Region 3 enforcers will be deployed along the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway, while NCR enforcement teams will augment the deputized enforcers along Skyway.

The LTO-CALABARZON was tasked to assist along SLEX and other SMC-operated expressways in the Southern Tagalog area.

On the other hand, Mendoza said enforcement teams from the LTO Central Office will be deployed along expressways that need additional manpower.

Mendoza, however, was bothered that the protesting enforcers are allegedly blocking some portions of the expressways.

“While we fully respect their right to air their grievances, it’s probably not right to block some portions of the expressway lanes because aside from causing disruption, it also endangers their lives,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza said he is hopeful that the issue would be settled at the soonest possible time, or before the scheduled exodus of people taking advantage of the Holy Week break.