Ben Madilynn
THE Land Transportation Office–Panabo District Office (LTO-Panabo) reported 50 apprehensions on May 21, 2025, as part of its ongoing “Stop Road Crash” campaign.
The operations are held in the Municipality of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, marked the second day of intensified enforcement in the area. Of the 50 violators, 12 were apprehended by the Law Enforcement Service (LES), 26 by the Regional Law Enforcement Section (RLES), and 12 by deputized agents of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Sto. Tomas.
A day earlier, on May 20, the agency also conducted operations along the Tagum-Panabo Circumferential Road, where 91 violators were apprehended. Of these, 31 were by Panabo LES, 38 by RLES, and 22 by the Local Government Unit (LGU) Traffic Management Unit (TMU).
“This concerted effort underscores our unwavering commitment to promoting responsible driving behaviors and ensuring vehicle safety throughout the Davao Region,” the LTO said in a Facebook post on May 22.
The operation is aligned with a directive from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., calling on the LTO to intensify road safety measures under the DRIVESAFE initiative, which stands for Discipline, Respect, Integrity, Vigilance, Enforcement, Safety, Awareness, Focus, and Education.
LTO-Davao Law Enforcement Section head Yuri Lim, speaking at the Kapehan sa Dabaw forum on May 19, said a new memorandum has strengthened the nationwide road safety push. District offices are now mandated to engage public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers, taxi and bus operators, and other motorists in road safety education.
Lim added that outreach efforts are ongoing with trucking groups, schools, and grassroots campaigns like barangay caravans, all aimed at promoting responsible driving behavior.
He also noted that a special task force has been formed to conduct weekly surprise inspections of Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) at their garages. Comprising both LTO and LTFRB personnel, the team ensures that defective vehicles are barred from operation until repairs are made. RGP
Source: LTO-Panabo Nabs 141 Violators in Safety Drive
