“Squatters” no more. This is the expected status of the Land Transportation Office (LTO)’s Cordillera Administrative Region by 2026, following the intervention of Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson.
Lacson revealed that despite having its own property where it can build a permanent facility, the LTO-CAR has been forced to “squat” or rent space from other agencies due to lack of funding.
“Ang LTO-CAR, wala silang permanent office… Ang regional office ng LTO sa CAR meron silang lupa. Meron silang pwedeng pagtayuan. I submitted a recommendation to the chairman of the finance committee kung pwedeng mapondohan (The LTO-CAR has no permanent office. But the regional office has a piece of property on which it can build the facility. I submitted a recommendation to the chairman of the finance committee for funding),” he said at his interpellation of the LTO’s 2026 budget on Thursday.
“Kumpleto po sila. Meron nang program of work, meron nang plano, lahat. Hindi lang nasama sa NEP (The proposed office has the needed program of work and other plans. Unfortunately, it was not included in the National Expenditure Program for 2026),” he added.
In Filipino: Sa Tulong ni Lacson, LTO Cordillera Office Aahon na sa Pagiging ‘Squatter’
Lacson said he has included the CAR’s regional office in his list of proposed institutional amendments to the 2026 budget bill, so the LTO-CAR no longer needs to “squat” in borrowed offices.
Before Lacson’s disclosure, Sen. Jose Victor “JV” Ejercito, the sponsor of the LTO’s budget, said all regional offices have their own “homes.”
After learning of the situation, Ejercito said he will support Lacson’s move. “Of course we will endorse it,” he said.
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Sa Tulong ni Lacson, LTO Cordillera Office Aahon na sa Pagiging ‘Squatter’
Inaasahang aahon na sa pagiging “iskwater” ang Land Transportation Office (LTO)–Cordillera Administrative Region simula 2026, matapos ang naging interbensyon ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson sa 2026 budget bill.
Ibinunyag ni Lacson na kahit may sarili nang lupang maaaring pagtayuan ng permanenteng gusali, matagal nang napipilitang “mang-upa” o makigamit ng opisina sa ibang ahensya ang LTO-CAR dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo.
“Ang LTO-CAR, wala silang permanent office… Ang regional office ng LTO sa CAR meron silang lupa. Meron silang pwedeng pagtayuan. I submitted a recommendation to the chairman of the finance committee kung pwedeng mapondohan,” ani Lacson sa kanyang pag-interpellate sa 2026 budget ng LTO nitong Huwebes.
“Kumpleto po sila. Meron nang program of work, meron nang plano, lahat. Hindi lang nasama sa National Expenditure Program para sa 2026,” dagdag niya.
Ipinunto ni Lacson na isinama niya sa listahan ng kanyang mga institutional amendments para sa 2026 budget bill ang pagtatayo ng opisina ng LTO-CAR, para tapusin ang araw nito bilang iskwater sa mga hiniram na espasyo.
Bago ang rebelasyon ni Lacson, sinabi ni Sen. Jose Victor “JV” Ejercito, sponsor ng budget ng LTO, na lahat ng regional offices ay may sarili nang opisina.
Matapos malaman ang sitwasyon, nagpahayag si Ejercito ng pagsuporta sa hakbang ni Lacson. “Of course we will endorse it,” aniya.
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