LTO to implement e-TOP in Cordillera
The Land Transportation Office in Cordillera Administrative Region (LTO-CAR) will be implementing the newly established electronic temporary operator’s permit (e-TOP) for violators of the pertinent provisions of Republic Act 4136 or the “Land Transportation Code of the Philippines” in line with the overall digitalization program of the agency.
LTO-CAR regional director Francis Ray Almora disclosed that five personnel of the agency are now undergoing the necessary for the eventual roll out of the program to help significantly reduce manual intervention in the enforcement of land transportation laws.
He said that apprehended motorists can opt to immediately settle their fines either through online payment or through debit or credit cards, where the paid fines will be immediately reflected in the system.
The LTO-CAR official claimed that apprehended motorists can also contest their violation within five days after apprehension. Enforcers can also use the device for evidence.
According to Almora, apprehended motorists will be asked to pay the fine before claiming confiscated licenses should they fail to contest violations within a five-day period.
Almora added motorists apprehended for the second time will have their licenses suspended for a period of six months if the first violation committed had not been settled.
Moreover, he explained motorists’ licenses will be eventually revoked and will have difficulty securing one in the future for the third apprehension with unsettled earlier violations.
Almora emphasized that the handheld device that will be used by the enforcers can also detect the status of the registration of motor vehicles and the driver’s license of motorists, which is why unregistered motor vehicles and erring drivers can be detected anywhere in the country.
He warned erring motorists that there is no way by which they will be able to evade being apprehended for their violations with the implementation of the e-TOP because enforcers are trained to ensure that their fines are settled.