LTO-6 taps public feedback to catch fixers

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY — The Land Transportation Office in Western Visayas (LTO-6) is urging the public to report fixers and irregular transactions, saying public feedback has helped the agency catch employees involved in fixing.

LTO-6 Regional Director Gaudencio P. Geduspan II said public reports are crucial to the agency’s anti-fixing campaign.

Speaking during the Kapihan sa PIA Western Visayas on Aug. 18, Geduspan cited a case in which a client reported a discrepancy in an LTO receipt, leading to an investigation and the apprehension of an employee involved in fixing.

The client was supposed to pay PHP 12,000 to lift a penalty but received a receipt indicating a payment of only PHP 7,000.

The discrepancy prompted the client to report the matter to the LTO.

“He was alarmed, so he made a report,” Geduspan said.

Upon investigation, the agency found that the receipt had been edited, leading to the apprehension of the employee involved.

Geduspan said the employee was dismissed after facing administrative charges.

The agency also filed a complaint for falsification and violation of Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, which prohibits fixing and collusion with fixers for economic or other gain or advantage.

Under Republic Act 9485, as amended by Republic Act 11032, a fixer is an individual, whether or not officially involved with a government office, who has access to people working there and facilitates the speedy completion of transactions for economic or other gain.

The prosecutor subsequently found probable cause in the case, according to Geduspan.

He said the incident demonstrates the importance of public feedback in uncovering fixing activities that might otherwise go undetected.

“We really appreciate those who give us feedback in the office. Feedbacks are very important for us to catch those fixers or facilitators,” he stressed.

Geduspan also cited another case involving the apprehension of a truck, in which the agency received information that a job order employee was allegedly being contacted by truck operators.

The employee was identified through information received by the agency and was subsequently terminated.

Geduspan said the employee is also facing charges.

He stressed that LTO-6’s anti-fixing campaign is a continuing effort and is not being implemented merely for compliance.

As part of its intervention efforts, Geduspan said the agency has been making adjustments to its monitoring and security measures.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the LTO relocated its entrance and used closed-circuit television cameras to monitor movement in the area.

“If we see something wrong, we always make the necessary adjustments to avoid it,” he said.

Geduspan acknowledged, however, that completely eliminating fixing remains a challenge because it has become an income-generating activity for some individuals who offer to facilitate transactions for a fee.

He urged the public to transact directly with the LTO and avoid individuals offering to facilitate transactions.

The regional director also called on clients to report suspicious transactions and employees or individuals offering to process documents or penalties in exchange for additional payments.

Under civil service rules implementing Republic Act 11032, fixing or collusion with fixers for economic or other gain is punishable by dismissal from government service on the first offense.