The Philippines is a bureaucratic country, it has many government agencies

which have their own focus on people’s daily movements and affairs. These
governmental agencies help in managing the public, they have their own duties which
are also mandated by the government, they help in many processes. The government
and these agencies under public administration are working together to help the society.
Since the population of the Philippines is big, there is a need for the agency to provide
necessary back up for the Philippine government.

In understanding government affairs and public administration, different aspects

are part of it including the government agencies and their actions to help the public and
the improvement of the society. It is hard to assess it without deeply knowing its nature
and functions as part of the government.

“The state involves agencies, exercises its sovereignty, uses its powers and has
the right to allocate goods and services within the system” This best describes what is
happening in the Philippines as it allows agencies to be part of the government to make
things more systematic.

What is an agency? Agency of the Government refers to any of the various units
of the Government, including a department, bureau, office, instrumentality, or
government-owned or controlled corporation, or a local government or a distinct unit
therein. (5) National Agency refers to a unit of the National Government.
(6) Local Agency refers to a local government or a distinct unit therein. (Executive order
No. 292)

Almost all the agencies of government faces many problems and struggles in
doing their mandate, because in the country, the public is so hard to manage, rules and
laws are hard to implement when people are not cooperating.

The focus of this paper is the government agency LTO or the Land
Transportation office. Vehicles are used every day, it is essential to many in different
aspects including their business, travel and daily errands. The vehicles that Filipinos
used should always be registered and the drivers should have their licenses for them to
legally use vehicles whenever they go. This agency does not just focus on one aspect in
the transportation of the country rather they also hold many duties and responsibilities.

Land transportation office is one agency that is also doing the duties in
administering the public, specifically it focuses on the travelling aspects of people.

“The LTO promotes the safety and comfort of the traveling public with respect to
motor vehicles. The LTO is also tasked with collecting various fees from the registration
of motor vehicles, the issuance of licenses to qualified motor vehicle drivers, the
collection of fines and penalties for motor vehicle related infractions, and the issuance of
motor vehicle license plates.”

Also, LTO envisions a model government agency showcasing excellent and

quality public service for a progressive land transport sector. Are they really effective
enough in public administration? Are those missions set by them achieved? Many
people criticizes their services and facilities, even their implementation of laws. How can
it lift up the essence of public administration?

With more than 13 million motor vehicles across the Philippines, the LTO, with
less than 1,000 Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) deployed nationwide and without a
central monitoring system, the up-to-the-minute monitoring of traffic, and the
enforcement of land transportation laws and regulations provide difficult challenges to
LEOs.

The Secretary-Representative of LTO main was interviewed regarding their

agency, she was asked about the main functions, responsibilities and goals of Land
transportation office as one major bodies of government agency in the Philippines and
she said that “The Land Transportation Office, a sectoral agency of the
Department of transportation by Virtue of Executive Order No. 125 and 125A. the
main functions of LTO was to register and regulate the motor vehicle of each
citizen who owns. Furthermore, to issue the driver’s/conductor’s licenses and
permits. Lastly, to enforce law, rules and regulations in order to adjudicate
apprehension cases.”
 They have many functions, they do not just sit in their offices rather they also
enforce the laws, rules and regulations which is necessary for the public to follow it
strictly and in various research conducted, it has been stated that they only have few
Law enforcement officers.

It is obvious that in public administration, there should be many people involved,

collaborating and cooperating with each other for them to achieve a more plausible
outcome. In public administration, it is not possible that there is only one person
involved, there are hundreds or even thousands of them which the government allowed
to exercise their duties and responsibilities that can help in maintaining the safety of the
public.

Another question asked to the representative of the LTO agency main is “How
can you say that the LTO agency completed its endeavors in achieving the needs of the
public? And how does it make as one of those government agencies wherein they
actually help in uplifting the economical status of our country?

She said that they encourage all the public to pay their registration on time.
Especially to those people who drive their cars without renewing their vehicles.
The LTO agency completed its endeavors in achieving the needs of the public by
showcasing fast and efficient public service.

All that are implemented by Land Transportation Office ensures the safety of the
people in the road. How can the agencies such as Land transportation office assures
good governance which is needed for an administration to be effective? How can they
really ensure that the public will strictly pay their registration, renew their vehicles and
licenses on time?

“The government can maximize its resources and improve its performance with
the establishment of linkages with the other sectors of the society” The Land
Transportation office can not also do things alone, thus, they need various partners to
effectively implement their laws and regulations. Again, the involvement of people is
necessary. Also, having good and effective leaders who can find and motivate people to
follow the rules that are set is helpful in public administration. The government affairs
can be hard without necessary cooperation of the public.

There are many problems faced by the Land transportation office regarding the
renewal and having of licenses of the drivers which is required in the country. Some are
hard-headed and do not follow the law. There are also those who are purchasing fake
licenses just to pass the requirement to drive which is dangerous because it can cause
confusion and it can also affect the Land Transportation office itself. Many people still
continue to do this because having fake licenses require cheaper money and it is easier
to acquire it but those people engaging with it should be punished.

The representative in the Land Transportation Office main was asked regarding
their takes in those people who keeps using and practicing the Illegal ways in obtaining
a fake Driver’s License. They have said that “We are disappointed to those people
who get fake Driver’s License just to present something while driving because if
you really want to drive, you must follow and obey all the rules and proper
process.”

REFERENCES:

https://dotr.gov.ph/road-sector/lto.html