Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Thursday reminded law enforcement units and other personnel of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) that their penultimate mandate is safer roads, which is beyond simple law enforcement and revenue collection.

During the LTO Operations Forum at the Hyatt Regency Manila in Parañaque City on Thursday, Bautista said strict law enforcement should lead to “responsible drivers, roadworthy vehicles, and safe roads for pedestrians.”

“The higher dimension of our work is raising the level of safety. Every road fatality is one too many. Behind every statistic is a life lost, a family devastated, and a future cut short. This is unacceptable,” he said.

He called on LTO personnel to be “models of professionalism” as the public relies on their fairness and transparency.

“Whether you are involved in vehicle inspections, license issuance, or administrative functions, I urge you to uphold your responsibilities without favor,” he said.

The LTO Operations Forum gathered several executives of the LTO for discussions on improving road safety, streamlining vehicle registration, and licensing processes.

It also focused on enhancing service delivery and integrating technology in LTO operations for better transportation management. (PNA)