SAME PROBLEM | LTO grappling with shortage in materials for plates, driver’s licenses

April 27, 2023 , 10:41 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(April 27, 2023) – Amid the shortage of license plates and cards for driver’s license, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday said it relies on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the procurement of supplies.

LTO executive director Giovanni Lopez said they have no control over the purchase of raw materials after the DOTr issued a special order indicating that any contracts beyond P50 million must be procured by the mother agency.

“They will need to procure 2.2 million pairs for motor vehicles and 11.5 million pieces for motorcycles. We have a backlog that we have to address and the Congress and the Senate gave us a budget to at least cover more than half of our supposed backlogs,” said Lopez on One News’ The Chiefs.

In a media briefing, LTO chief Jose Arturo Tugade said the license plates for motorcycles are projected to run out by June while the ones for motorized vehicles are expected to be exhausted by July.

He added that the total budget for the procurement of license plates amounts to P4.5 billion.

Among the contingencies being considered is allowing motorists to create their temporary license plates, according to Tugade, further noting that the certificate of registration will also be checked. Still, he acknowledged concerns about the possible escalation of crimes due to the insufficiency.

“That (rise in crimes) could be a possibility. However, we do need to be able to identify motor vehicles, and that (contingencies on license plates) is one way for us to identify motor vehicles,” said Tugade.

Aside from limited license plates, motorists also need to have their driver’s license printed on paper or stored in their phones due to the shortage of cards. Lopez said they put a QR code that traffic enforcers can use to verify authenticity.

“Once you scan it, that will direct you to a link that will show that indeed, that person renewed his license before our office. Didiretso ‘yan sa LTMS (Land Transportation Management System). That’s one way to validate it and that’s one way to authenticate it,” said Lopez.

He added that the bidding process may take weeks to months. After this, the LTO still needs to await the delivery of supplies before being able to proceed with the stamping of license plates and the printing of driver’s license on cards.

Rep. Bernadette Herrera already filed a resolution that seeks an investigation into the shortage of cards for driver’s license, lamenting the repeated problems with the procurement process.

“We also want to know who were incompetent and negligent in their duties and responsibilities because they should be held liable and accountable,” said Herrera in a statement.

Tugade, son of former DOTr secretary Arthur Tugade, said they have no objection to the proposed legislative probe.

“We are looking forward to aiding Congress in drafting laws in order for us to improve our procurement process,” said Tugade.

(PM)

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