Illegal parking, reckless driving, smoke belching, accidents, road rage — these are just some of the road-related incidents that we often hear on the news these days. If only there was an easy, real-time, and effective way of reporting these to the authorities!
Oh, but there is! Just a couple of years back, the Land Transportation Office Central Command Center (C3) and the CitiSend mobile app were launched to help ensure road safety and security. This article features the CitiSend app, and how it can be used as a direct line of communication to the LTO.
What is CitiSend?
CitiSend is a mobile app that was designed to promote road safety and to help enforce LTO laws, rules, and regulations. It enables the public to report incidents, while at the same time assisting them with their inquiries on LTO transactions.
Thanks to its real-time incident reporting capabilities, CitiSend also helps the LTO in making precise and accurate dispatch decisions. Aside from the LTO, the app may also be used by Local Government Units (LGUs) and other responding agencies.
Features of CitiSend
The CitiSend mobile app contains several features, including: reporting of incidents, emergency tracking, and emergency calls.
1. Reporting of Incidents
Using the CitiSend mobile app, you can report different types of incidents, such as illegal parking, vehicle collisions, number coding violations, even riding-in-tandem incidents! Be sure to send as much information as you can (e.g. license plate number, type of vehicle, color of vehicle, location of incident, etc.). If possible, you can also send a picture or a video of the incident through the app!
2. Emergency Tracking
In cases of emergencies such as a flat tire, dead battery, accident, or other unfortunate incidents, you can use the “Emergency Tracking” feature of the CitiSend mobile app. By enabling “Emergency S.O.S,” the app is able to send your location to the LTO Central Command Center (C3). You can also chat with a dispatcher using the mobile app.
3. Emergency Calls or SMS
The CitiSend mobila app allows users to make emergency calls or reports via SMS. Be sure to describe the situation as best as you can, and to provide the location and nearby landmarks, as well.
LTO Central Command Center (C3)
As mentioned earlier, reports sent through the CitiSend mobile app are received and processed by the LTO Central Command Center (C3). Notably, this center also investigates various road and traffic incidents that are found through social media.
The LTO C3 serves as the “central nerve” of the agency’s Operations and Law Enforcement Service. In line with Republic Act No. 4136 (An Act to Compile the Laws Relative to Land Transportation and Traffic Rules, to Create a Land Transportation Commission and for Other Purposes), this service is engaged in surveillance monitoring, coordination, and alarm monitoring.
Moreover, in accordance with Republic Act No. 10883 (New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016) and Republic Act No. 11235 (An Act Preventing and Penalizing the Use of Motorcycles in the Commission of Crimes by Requiring Bigger, Readable, and Color-Coded Number Plates and Identification Marks, and for Other Purposes), the LTO C3 serves as a joint LTO and Philippine National Police (PNP) Operations and Control Center.
Direct Line to LTO
The CitiSend mobile app, together with the LTO Central Command Center (C3), was launched in February 2022. Based on a Facebook post by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Secretary at that time, Arthur Tugade, has much to say about the innovations.
“Sa tulong ng imprastrukturang ito at kapag ginamit mo itong app na CitiSend, magkakaroon ka ng ugnayan direkta sa LTO kung saan bibigyang solusyon at atensyon ang mga nangyayari na nakaka-apekto sa seguridad at safety ng publiko (With help from this infrastructure and the use of CitiSend app, you can have a direct connection to the LTO, which will provide solutions to incidents that affect the safety and security of the public),” Tugade stated.
“There is no substitute to safety,” he added. “Itong instrumento na ito ay isang magandang system kung saan makakatulong ito sa pagganap at pagbago ng safety sa ating mga kalsada (This instrument is a great system that can help achieve and transform safety on our roads).”
Similarly, the former DOTR secretary commended the LTO for launching such innovative programs that limit human intervention through digitization.
“Saludo ako sa inyo dahil binigyan ninyong patotoo ang programang ‘Digitization’ sapagkat dito mawawala ang tinatawag na intervention of human hands, ang mananaig at mapapalaganap ay teknolohiya (I salute you for achieving ‘digitization,’ which limits human intervention and puts emphasis on technology” Tugade explained.
For his part, former DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor stated that the LTO C3 will help minimize vehicular accidents and motor vehicle-related crimes.
“Itong pasilidad na pinasisinayaan natin ngayon ay magbabago po sa buhay ng milyun-milyon nating kababayan because it will ensure na mas makatutulong ang LTO, hindi lamang sa driver’s license at rehistro ng sasakyan, ngayon po sa road safety (This innovation will change the lives of millions of people because it will ensure that the LTO can help not only with driver’s licenses and vehicle registration, but also with road safety,” Pastor said.
“This program will ensure — sa araw-araw, mababawasan ang road crashes, araw-araw mare-resolba ang mga krimen na may kinalaman sa ating motor vehicles (This program will ensure that everyday, road crashes would be limited; everyday, motor vehicle-related crimes can be resolved)” he added.
Video: News Report About CitiSend App
Here is a PTV News report about the CitiSend mobile app, as shared by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Facebook page:
Download CitiSend App
You can download the CitiSend app on your mobile phones or tablets. It is available on Google Play Store and App Store for Android and iOS device users, respectively.
How to Reach LTO
Aside from using the CitiSend mobile app, you can also reach the LTO 24/7 Hotline when you need to make inquiries and report any incidents or complaints. Simply call 1-342-586 anytime, anywhere!
Final Thoughts
Nowadays, the use mobile apps is proving to be a fast, easy, and effective way of communicating with various agencies. For the purpose of ensuring road safety and security, the CitiSend mobile app is definitely helpful! If you want to learn more about this app and its features, please visit the LTO official website.
Speaking of the LTO, this agency is always coming up with ways to ensure our road safety, including the strict enforcement of laws and regulations. Recently, the LTO has imposed more stringent policies on “colorum” vehicles. Check out this article to read all about it!