TDC seminar in Candijay, Bohol with 390 graduates held last November 23-24, 2022. | contributed photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Since the start of its free Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) program, the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO-7) has already produced a total of 21,682 graduates.
In a press statement, LTO-7 Director Victor Emmanuel Caindec said that as of December 7, 2022, their Malasakit On Wheels – ePatrol Mobile Service, which brought the TDCs to the barangay level, has surpassed its 21,000 mark.
“Almost 99 percent of our free TDC seminars in the region for 2022 were partnered with LGUs and we have seen a very good response and also a very good number of beneficiaries for them to avail of this free service in the goal of possessing their driver’s license,” Caindec was quoted in the release.
According to the LTO-7, a total of 17,078 beneficiaries have availed of the free TDC through LGU partnership from January up to December 7 of 2022.
“Just recently (December 6 & 7) we visited Tanjay in Negros Oriental and we want to expand more on that island knowing that there are pending requests received by our office,” Caindec said.
Caindec also revealed that the Office of Senator Jun Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has communicated with his office to conduct the free TDC in Candijay, Bohol which happened last November 23 and 24.
“We are very happy that these LGUs are proactively sending us requests so that they will have road-worthy-ready drivers. The main goal of TDC is not just for certificate or requirement purposes, but to educate drivers to be responsible and be safe, and be worthy in using the roads.”
In 2021, the TDC partnership with LGU has summed up into 4,604 beneficiaries and graduates. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, LTO-7 decided to temporarily stop the free TDC seminars for one month in September of the same year.
Cebu was also greatly hit by Typhoon Odette in December 2021, which was the main reason for the temporary suspension of the program in January 2022.
RD Caindec added that these road safety courses in partnership with LGUs have proven to be very effective, especially in implementing government programs at the grassroots level.
LTO memorandum circular 2019-2716 requires new drivers to undergo the 15-hour TDC as one of the requirements for a student permit.
/bmjo
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