LTO-6 intensifies crackdown on repeat traffic violations

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY — The Land Transportation Office in Western Visayas is strengthening its law enforcement operations, stressing the need for sustained enforcement to instill discipline among motorists and curb repeat violations.

“We cannot minimize apprehension. That’s why we will be sustaining operations and improving our enforcement efforts,” LTO-6 Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II said during the Kapihan sa PIA Western Visayas on Aug. 18.

He cited the campaign against colorum vehicles, saying operators may return to illegal operations if they know enforcement is conducted only periodically.

“Before I assumed office, enforcement was neglected not only in the region but nationwide. When you instill discipline, it should be sustained operations,” he added.

Since last year, LTO-6 has recorded 55,506 apprehensions involving violations such as failure to wear a seat belt, operating an unregistered vehicle, failure to wear a helmet, driving without a license, and reckless driving.

From January to July 2026, failure to wear the prescribed seat belt was the most recorded violation in the region, with 4,286 apprehensions.

Failure to wear a helmet ranked second with 2,359 apprehensions, followed by driving without a license with 2,064; unregistered, improperly registered, delinquent, or invalid registration with 1,784; and reckless driving with 1,727.

In 2025, seat belt violations also topped the list with 8,640 apprehensions, followed by registration-related violations with 4,189 and helmet violations with 3,865.

Geduspan said the regional law enforcement unit cannot carry out enforcement operations alone, particularly because of limited resources.

To augment its efforts, LTO-6 has activated around 20 district law enforcement units, up from nine previously.

The units are organized into five teams to assist in enforcement operations.

“We cannot be sufficient because of lack of resources, so we have to maximize everything. Also, we need everyone’s cooperation,” he said.

Geduspan also emphasized annual vehicle registration and compliance with traffic laws as part of the agency’s enforcement campaign.

In 2025, LTO-6 registered 664,941 vehicles in the region and issued 261,258 licenses and permits.