New LTO chief assumes post

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista (right) and LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II. (Photo: Land Transportation Office – Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista administered the oath of office of lawyer Vigor Mendoza II who assumed the position of assistant secretary and chief of the Land Transportation Office on Tuesday.

Mendoza replaces former LTO chief Jay Art Tugade, who resigned in May due to disagreements with the transportation department.

“Let’s not waste time sa rami ng kailangang gawin at sa rami ng kailangan nating maayos. Sana maayos natin sa lalong madaling panahon and then in the next 5 years dahan-dahan na lang tayo (We have a lot to do so let’s not waste time. I hope that we finish these tasks soon and in the next five years),” Mendoza said in a news release.

He vowed to address the shortage of license cards and motor vehicle plates backlogs.

“Let’s not wait 5 years, ang aking laging iniisip kung magagawa natin bukas bakit pa natin hihintayin ang next week. Gawin na natin ang magagawa natin ngayon (Let’s not wait five years. Do what can be done now and not wait for next week),” he said.

Mendoza, a former party-list representative and transportation official, was personally endorsed for the role by Bautista and Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos.

Mendoza vowed to further enhance public service and ensure “effective, safe, and well-organized operations of land transportation systems”.

He continues to be the chairperson of Party List Group 1 (United Transport Koalisyon or 1-UTAK). He was also a former Board Member of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Mendoza graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University from grade school through law school.

His areas of specialization are public utilities, real property and energy law, corporate law and litigation.