Enforcers of the Land Transportation Office-Cordillera intercepted on June 17 a commuter van trying to smuggle four people bound for Manila.
The van bearing temporary license plate 022010 was flagged by the enforcers along Balacbac, Palispis-Aspiras Highway at 9 a.m.
In a report by LTO officers Alberto C. Tadeo, Donald B. Wingnga, and Allyson F. Fangkingan to LTO-Cordillera Director Francis Ray A. Almora, the van driver, identified as Eldon V. Lopez, was apprehended for violating LTO Memorandum Circular 2020-2185.
The circular requires public conveyances to first secure a special permit from LTO before they can ferry passengers outside Baguio.
It was discovered that Lopez asked each person to pay P4,000 for the one way travel to Manila.
Lopez presented complete documents as proof of ownership and valid franchise to use the van as tourist transport service operating in Santiago City, Isabela to any point in the Philippines.
“However, the driver was not able to present a special permit,” the LTO report stated.
The LTO impounded the vehicle.
Under Department of Transportation Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, owners or drivers vans that do not have special permit to operate while quarantine measures are in effect are fined P200,000; trucks, P200,000; jeepneys, P50,000; cars, P120,000; and motorcycles, P6,000. – Jessa Mardy Samidan
