Deputized LTO men nixed for illegal acts

By Jerry Padilla

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — More complaints were received by the Abono party-list from its members whose trucks were apprehended by deputized Land Transportation Office agents in Olongapo City for overloading.

Engineer Rosendo O. So, chairman of the Abono party-list, said motor vehicles overloaded with fertilizers are temporarily exempted from apprehension as authorized by a memorandum order issued by LTO Assistant Secretary Alberto Suansing on Dec. 7, 2008.

So denounced the continuous apprehension of trucks overloaded with fertilizers in Olongapo City where LTO men and deputized agents continue to defy the order issued by Suansing.

The order has not been revoked or withdrawn, he said.

"Paulit-ulit na lang ang ginagawang pagsuway ng mga LTO men at mga deputized agents ng nasabing ahensya sa mga mangangalakal na magsasaka na umaangkat ng fertilizers na kailangan nila sa kanilang mga pananim mula sa Olongapo," he said.

He reported that another farmer, who is a member of the Abono party-list, was again apprehended last week by Noli R. Barata of TMG-SFEX under the LTO District Office in Kalaklan, Olongapo.

He learned from the apprehended member that a copy of Suansing’s order on the temporary suspension of the apprehension of trucks overloaded with fertilizers was shown to Noli R. Barata, an LTO deputized personnel, but Barata ignored the order.

So called on LTO Region III Director Moises P. Almuete to look into the case, saying the apprehensions adversely affected farmers.

He said he is sure that Director Almuete will find out why Suansing’s order is being defied by LTO personnel and deputized agents in Olongapo City, particularly in Subic and Kalaklan.