Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a strong call to action for all agency personnel, urging them to abandon the complacent “okay lang” mentality that he says undermines service efficiency and road safety.
Speaking during his visit to the LTO Cagayan Valley Region on February 4, Mendoza stressed that such an attitude contradicts President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” initiative, which emphasizes fast, transparent, and citizen-friendly public service.
Raising the Standard of Public Service
Mendoza pointed out various instances where this mindset leads to subpar performance, including poorly maintained LTO offices, inefficient work ethics, and the neglect of critical responsibilities. He specifically highlighted the issue of roadworthiness inspections, warning that some personnel merely go through the motions or even shortcut the process, putting motorists at risk.
“Enough with ‘okay lang.’ Let’s start with small improvements that can make a big difference in our daily duties,” Mendoza emphasized.
Addressing Accountability and Public Trust
The LTO Chief warned that public perception of government employees as corrupt or inefficient stems from this culture of mediocrity. He challenged personnel to reflect on the consequences of their actions, particularly in vehicle inspections.
“If a vehicle we failed to properly inspect causes an accident involving our loved ones, would we still say ‘okay lang’?” Mendoza asked. “Every life is priceless, and we must act responsibly.”
His message aligns with the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) directive under Secretary Jaime J. Bautista to implement measures ensuring the safety of all road users.
Strengthening the ‘Stop Road Crash’ Campaign
LTO’s advocacy for road safety under the Stop Road Crash campaign aims to prevent accidents by ensuring strict compliance with vehicle inspection and registration procedures. Mendoza stressed that every LTO employee plays a role in this mission and must take their duties seriously.
“Let us prove to the Filipino people that we deserve the salaries they pay us through their hard-earned money,” he said.
With Mendoza’s firm stance, the LTO is expected to intensify internal reforms to create a culture of accountability and excellence, setting a new standard for public service in the Philippines.