Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 12173, welcomed the signing of the new law upgrading the Land Transportation Office (LTO) District Office in Mati City, Davao Oriental from a Class D to a Class C office, citing the measure as a crucial step in strengthening public services in the region.
RA 12173 mandates the enhancement of the LTO’s administrative capacity and allocates necessary funds for the improvement of facilities and services. The upgrade aims to meet the increasing demand for transportation services in Mati City and surrounding areas, driven by the region’s continuing economic growth.
“Bilang isang simpleng lingkod-bayan na galing sa Mindanao, napakahalaga sa akin na mapalapit ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa mga kababayan natin sa mga probinsya,” Go said. “Hindi dapat sila ang laging bumabiyahe at nagsasakripisyo para makakuha ng tamang serbisyo.”
Upgrading an LTO District Office from Class D to Class C significantly enhances the office’s operational capacity and service delivery. Specifically, a Class C LTO office is equipped to process more complex services, such as the registration of larger vehicles.
It also enables the office to offer additional services that may not be available in a Class D office, thereby reducing the need for residents to travel to distant locations for certain transactions.
As a staunch advocate for decentralized service delivery, Go emphasized that measures like RA 12173 embody the spirit of inclusive national development, ensuring that no community, regardless of distance, is left behind.
“Dapat maramdaman ng bawat Pilipino, saan mang sulok ng bansa, na hindi sila nakakalimutan ng gobyerno,” he added.
The law directs the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the LTO to implement the office upgrade promptly, enabling the agency to hire additional personnel, improve infrastructure, and deliver more efficient services to motorists and residents in Davao Oriental.
Go also expressed optimism that the improved LTO office will contribute to smoother transport operations in the region, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and easing the public’s access to government services.
“Kung mas maayos ang sistema ng transportasyon, mas mabilis ang pag-unlad ng mga komunidad. Mas madali ang pagpasok ng negosyo, trabaho, at oportunidad para sa mga tao,” Go said.
Beyond RA 12173, Senator Go has long championed initiatives promoting regional development. In 2021, he authored and co-sponsored the measure that ultimately became RA 11708, which created the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA) to address the growing needs of Davao City and its neighboring areas.
Go commended former President Rodrigo Duterte for signing the law, emphasizing that the MDDA will provide essential services such as development planning, transport management, solid waste disposal and management, urban zoning, land use planning, shelter services, health and sanitation, and public safety. He stressed the significance of the initiative in ensuring the sustainable and organized development of the Davao Region.
Go reiterated his full support for initiatives that bring government closer to the people, emphasizing that sustainable development starts with empowering local communities.
“Sa huli, ang tunay na sukatan ng pag-unlad ay kung paano nito napapabuti ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino, lalo na ang mga nasa malalayong lugar,” he concluded. ###