INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday said that it has no plans to postpone the implementation of the maximum prescribed rates of driving courses nationwide on April 15.
In a statement, LTO chief Jay Art Tugade said the new policy could not be delayed due to the public’s call for a more affordable driver’s license.
“Malabo na nating ipagpaliban pa ang implementasyon ng bagong driving school rates. Hindi pupuwedeng maging bingi ang LTO sa mga panawagan ng higit na nakararami laban sa napakamahal na bayarin sa mga driving school. Panahon na para maging abot-kaya sa publiko ang pagkuha ng driver’s license nang hindi nakokompromiso ang kalidad ng pagkatuto ng mga aplikante,” said Tugade.
(It is unlikely that we will postpone the implementation of the new driving school rates. The LTO cannot turn a deaf ear to the calls of the majority against the exorbitant fees for driving schools. It is time to make obtaining a driver’s license affordable to the public without compromising the quality of the applicants’ education.)
“Sadya nating itinulak ang pinamurang halaga ng driving school courses upang mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang maraming nais na magkaroon ng driver’s license para sa kanilang hanapbuhay pero hindi lang maipursige dahil sa mataas na singilin sa ngayon,” he added.
(We have deliberately pushed the reduced cost of driving school courses to allow many who want to have a driver’s license for their work but cannot continue due to the high fees.)
Tugade also said that the LTO stands firm with the maximum prescribed rates, adding that the price ceiling has already undergone consultation and in-depth cost analysis.
Regarding the eight-hour Practical Driving Course, Tugde said that it had also gone through a thorough study by the LTO and has been in operation for long time since August of the year 2020.
He further explained that, in the first place, only the LTO could determine whether or not eight hours of training is enough to learn and test an applicant’s ability to drive safely.
“The determination of whether the duration of 8 hours is sufficient to produce a qualified driver ultimately falls within the competence of the LTO since the ability of an applicant to drive safely is assessed during the practical examination administered by LTO driving skill raters,” he added. said Tugade.
Meanwhile, Tugade clarified that it does not prohibit driving schools from offering value-added services such as pick-up but must still be included in the agency’s set fee.
“They must work within the allowable rates when offering value-added services without resorting to charging additional fees,” he said.
RELATED STORY:
LTO to impose cap on driving schools’ fees starting April 15