ILOILO City – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Western Visayas has intensified its crackdown on unsafe public utility vehicles (PUVs) and illegal transport operators, deploying 94 enforcement personnel and inspecting hundreds of vehicles at major transport terminals in Iloilo ahead of the anticipated surge in travelers for Nov. 1’s All Saints’ Day and Nov. 2’s All Souls’ Day.
The heightened enforcement campaign, launched on October 23 under “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2026,” aims to prevent road accidents, ensure vehicle roadworthiness and protect thousands of passengers expected to travel across the region during the annual observance of Undas.
LTO-6 enforcement teams conducted safety inspections at the New Ceres Mohon Terminal in Villa Arevalo, Tagbak Bus Terminal in Jaro, Pavia People’s Terminal and Ungka Terminal, focusing initially on outbound passenger vehicles.
Inspection personnel were also stationed at local seaports and the airport serving Iloilo City to strengthen monitoring of travelers entering and leaving the province.
The intensified operations followed a heightened-alert directive from LTO chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao under the overall guidance of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.
LTO-6 director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II led the deployment of 94 personnel alongside Assistant Regional Director Jeck D. Conlu and Regional Law Enforcement Section Chief Jetster T. Mandadero.
During the send-off ceremony, Geduspan reminded enforcement personnel that ensuring public safety must be accompanied by professionalism, discipline and respect for motorists.
“Serve the public with sincerity and commitment,” Geduspan told the enforcement team.
“Professionalism and courtesy must guide every inspection, terminal assignment, and encounter with motorists,” he added.
Beyond checking vehicle roadworthiness, LTO-6 is also stepping up enforcement against unauthorized or colorum transport operators that could expose passengers to safety risks during the holiday travel rush.
The agency emphasized that vehicles must have valid registrations and comply with transportation regulations to avoid penalties or possible impoundment.
Geduspan also urged motorists and passengers to assess their physical condition before undertaking long-distance travel, warning that health problems or physical discomfort could compromise road safety.
Drivers experiencing medical symptoms or other health concerns were advised to evaluate their fitness to travel before getting behind the wheel.
Vehicle owners, meanwhile, were reminded to conduct thorough pre-trip inspections, particularly of braking systems, tire pressure and tread depth, engine oil, water and coolant levels.
LTO-6 stressed that defective brakes, worn-out tires and inadequate engine fluids could increase the risk of accidents or mechanical breakdowns, especially during long journeys and periods of heavy traffic.
Along major highways, enforcement teams and deputized personnel are also conducting road safety awareness checks, reminding motorists to wear seatbelts, properly secure child passengers and observe motorcycle safety regulations.
Authorities are likewise reinforcing the prohibition against distracted driving, which can endanger passengers, pedestrians and other road users./PN
