The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said on Wednesday it would extend the validity of all driver’s licenses that expired from June, as a legal battle prevented it from receiving plastic cards for the licenses.
The agency is also looking into stamping the official receipt/certificate of registration (OR/CR) of vehicle owners as a temporary solution to the shortage of plastic driver’s license cards.
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said all possible measures to address the current shortage of plastic cards are being considered in case the temporary restraining order (TRO) against LTO’s release of license cards is not lifted.
“We are looking into all possibilities in case the TRO against our distribution of license cards is not lifted. All suggestions are welcomed by the agency,” Mendoza said in a statement Tuesday.
In addition to stamping OR/CRs, shifting to electronic or digital driver’s licenses or extending the validity of licenses are also being eyed.
“We will consult with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on what’s the best measure so that we will no longer add burden to our drivers and motorists,” he said.
However, Mendoza expressed confidence that the TRO would be lifted and the backlog for driver’s licenses immediately addressed.
Earlier, Agri party-list Representative Wilbert Lee suggested stamping the OR/CR of vehicle owners as a stop-gap measure to the LTO’s backlog of new driver’s license cards.
In August, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 125 issued a TRO against the LTO’s release of new plastic cards due to a petition from its previous card supplier, Allcard Inc. (Allcard).
The petition was filed after the DOTr awarded the LTO’s cards supply contract to Banner Plasticard Inc. despite a lower bid from Allcard due to a “post-qualification” process that resulted in the disqualification of Allcard.
The decision to disqualify Allcard was made based on feedback from other government agencies and private companies on Allcard’s services. Rio N. Araja