By Gerome Dalipe IV
Motorists in northern Antique will soon have easier access to government services following the signing of Republic Act No. 12140 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., establishing a Land Transportation Office district office in Pandan.
Enacted on March 27, 2025, during the 19th Congress, the law mandates the creation of a fully operational LTO district office in the municipality.
It includes funding under the national budget to support the office’s establishment and continued operations.
The measure was approved by the House of Representatives on Nov. 29, 2023, and by the Senate on Dec. 17, 2024.
The new office is expected to ease the burden on residents who previously had to travel long distances for vehicle registration, license renewals and other LTO transactions.
It will also help decongest nearby LTO branches in other provinces.
LTO Region 6 Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II welcomed the move, saying it supports the national goal of improving public service delivery.
“This is a welcome development that will significantly enhance the delivery of public service in the province,” Geduspan said.
He was joined by Assistant Regional Director Jeck D. Conlu, who also expressed support for the upcoming district office.
The initiative is part of a broader push by LTO Chief and Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II and Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to expand and decentralize LTO services nationwide.
In a letter from the Office of the President, Mendoza was informed of the approval of seven legislative measures aimed at strengthening LTO’s reach and services across the country.
Alongside the Pandan office, new LTO district offices will also be established in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte; Cordova, Cebu; and Consolacion, Cebu.
The President also signed laws converting the Las Piñas City Licensing Center into a regular licensing center, upgrading the Rosales, Pangasinan District Office to a Class A LTO office and converting the LTO Extension Office in Burgos, Ilocos Norte into a full district office.
“These developments reflect our commitment to bring government services closer to the Filipino people under Bagong Pilipinas,” Mendoza said.
“We are grateful to President Bongbong Marcos and our lawmakers for their support and swift action.”
Mendoza said the expansion of LTO offices is being reinforced by the agency’s digitalization efforts to streamline services.
“Makaaasa ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa pamumuno ng ating DOTr Secretary Vince B. Dizon, na patuloy tayong maghahanap ng mga paraan upang mapabilis at maging maayos ang pagseserbisyo natin,” he added.
