Caindec gets high praise from Cebu City officials

LOCAL officials in Cebu have high praise for Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 Director Victor Emmanuel Caindec despite receiving criticism from Panglao officials in Bohol last week.

They expressed their gratitude to Caindec for the various programs he implemented in behalf of their constituents, particularly the LTO 7’s free Theoretical Driving Course (TDC).

Barangay officials in Cebu City, especially those based in the hinterlands, thanked Caindec for TDC, which benefitted many motorists living in their areas, especially habal-habal (motorcycle-for-hire) drivers.

Sudlon 1 Barangay Captain Dante Tabucal described the free TDC as significant and timely, especially during this time of the pandemic.

“The people of the Cebu City mountain barangays were so grateful for your efforts RD Vic Caindec for bringing the Theoretical Diving Course to our doorsteps,” said Tabucal.

Residents of Barangays Sudlon 1 and 2 were the first to avail themselves of the free TDC after it was launched to the mountain barangays in October 2021.

“Despite all the challenges and trials, you were able to come up and conduct the program. Indeed, it was a huge success. Our constituents are clamoring for the next TDC services. Dako kaayo ang kalipay sa atong mga katawhan sa inyong (Our residents were very happy with your) advocacy,” Tabucal added.

LTO 7, through its Malasakit on Wheels, brought the free TDC lectures to the barangay level through its e-Patrol Mobile Service.

Aside from Sudlon 1 and 2, the other mountain barangays that availed themselves of the free TDC lectures were Sinsin, Bonbon, Sirao, Pungol-Sibugay, Tabunan, Toong, Pamutan, Malubog, Babag, Taptap and Agsungot.

Caindec offered the free TDC scholarships to the barangay captains to address the key issues affecting road safety in hinterland barangays, such as the lack of proper licensing and registration.

Nearly two years after its implementation in the region, over 18,000 individuals have availed themselves of the free TDC.

Cebu City Councilor Phillip Savior Zafra also lauded Caindec for being reachable to the public and bringing the services of the agency to the barangay level.

“RD Vic Caindec is one of the most capable, efficient and effective regional directors of the LTO today. He’s so focused on his job and has accomplished a lot. Cebu City residents are among those that benefited from the said laudable program,” said Zafra.

Barangay Tisa, the second largest barangay in the City where Zafra was a former barangay captain, received more than a thousand TDC scholarships to help habal-habal drivers in the area.

Aside from Zafra, former Barangay Apas chief Ramil Ayuman, who is Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama’s secretary on special projects, also shared that the free TDC has been a significant factor in earning a living for their residents.

Ayuman, who was a former assistant secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, also expressed his gratitude to Caindec for the latter’s unwavering support of the barangays.

City Councilor and former Cogon Pardo barangay captain Francis Esparis also thanked Caindec for extending the program to his barangay.

TDC certificates are also being offered through a private driving school that cost between P1,500 and P2,500.

LTO 7’s free TDC is under the agency’s Driver’s Education Center.

On Aug. 22, 2022, the Panglao Municipal Council issued a resolution asking President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. not to renew Caindec’s appointment as LTO 7 director or to any public office.

The resolution was made due to allegations that Caindec and his field personnel committed grave abuse of discretion by issuing medical certificates to a considerable number of student permit applicants in the town even without conducting actual medical examination by the doctor whose signature appeared in the document and who is not accredited to practice in Bohol Province, particularly in Panglao.

One of the signatories of the resolution, Panglao Vice Mayor Noel Hormachuelos, earlier sued Caindec and his daughter-in-law, former Panglao councilor Amira Alia Montero-Caindec, before the National Bureau of Investigation for alleged electioneering and graft and corruption.

In response, Caindec said he considered the resolution issued by the Panglao Municipal Council “wanting.”