Iloilo City police seek LTO deputization to boost traffic enforcement

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is considering applying for the deputization of several of its officers as Land Transportation Office (LTO)-deputized agents.

Maj. Shella Mae Sangrines, ICPO spokesperson, said personnel from the ICPO Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) will be tapped to apply for deputization.

“We believe this will give teeth to our campaign on traffic law management and enforcement,” she said.

Once deputized, police officers could issue citation tickets to traffic violators when warranted.

On Tuesday, March 3, ICPO personnel led by Col. Wilbert Parilla paid a courtesy visit to LTO Region 6.

Lt. Col. Lindley Barrientos, ICPO deputy city director for administration, and Sangrines joined Parilla in meeting with LTO-6 Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso Geduspan II and Assistant Regional Director Jeck Conlu.

Sangrines said they are working to comply with equipment requirements for LTO deputization.

Under the law, LTO deputization requires personnel from authorized agencies, such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and local government units, to complete a mandatory training and retooling seminar covering land transportation laws, traffic management, and first aid.

For the LTO, the meeting with police officials is seen as a major boost to the agency’s road safety efforts and will strengthen inter-agency partnership to intensify public safety initiatives.

Aside from deputization, the two agencies also discussed coordinated road safety campaigns, including the rollout of a Free Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) for qualified participants.

They also discussed the deputization of policewomen to assist in law enforcement activities in line with the celebration of National Women’s Month this March.