by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Cagayan de Oro City (1 August) -- The Land Transportation Office in Northern Mindanao (LTO-X) is taking aggressive action to carry out its mission and join the Administration's caravan for national unity.

Thus stressed Regional Director Porcawa Dia, who said LTO-X has collected, during the second quarter, this year, some Php83.438 million in revenues, higher by 6.52% compared to Php78.332 million in the same period of 2007.

He said this positive performance could be due to their anti graft and corruption drive, close rapport with the local government units and other government agencies which are among best practices, particularly, the focus on the development program for their personnel,

"This is also buoyed up by our continuing institution of the 5S-Total Quality Management (TQM) tenets of good housekeeping and consultative management that serve as a key motivator of productivity in the workplace," Dia said.

For the period, LTO-X has disbursed, a total of Php1.632 million of the motor vehicles utility charge while it has disbursed Php284,585.57 for its seat belt project and Php825,869.44 for the development of its international standard operations.

Meanwhile, a total of 47,568 motor vehicles were registered in the region, during the quarter, up by 7.82% compared to 44,118 MV's in the same period, last year.

Of this figure, renewal of registrations posted an upward trend, from 36,288 to 39,697 MV's or 9.39% while registration of new MVs also increased, from 7,830 to 7,871 MV's or 0.52%, Edith Roa, LTO-X Regional Information Officer, said.

The LTO-X data also show that renewal of registration of "For Private Use" MV's, increased from 30,506 to 33,819 MV's or 10.86% and the new ones from 7,621 to 7,735MV's or 1.50%.

The registration of new "For Hire" MV's, however, posted a decline, from 131 to 103 MV's or negative 21.37% while renewals of the same type of MV's increased from 4,790 to 4,953 or 3.40%.

As to government MV's, a decline in renewal of registration was noted from 992 to 922 MV's or negative 7.06% and the new ones, from 78 to 33 MV's, or negative 57.69%.The registration of two (2) diplomatic cars were also renewed during the period.

Moreover, the following LTO field offices registered these number of MV's: Cagayan de Oro City, 11,481, Puerto Extension Office, 9,113, Iligan City, 4,502, Valencia City, 3,879, Ozamiz City, 3,861, Gingoog City, 2,863, Malaybalay City, 2,651, Don Carlos, Bukidnon, 1,809, Camiguin, 1,697, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, 1,277, Tangub City, 996 and E-Patrol X, 158.

Again a total of 37,434 new licenses and permits were issued by LTO-X during the quarter, up by 8.23% compared to 34,588 issued in the same period of 2007.