Poe to next LTO head: Stop massive shortage of driver’s license plastic cards

An LTO employee shows some driver’s licenses that have yet to be distributed. (File Photo of the INQUIRER / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — Preventing the “massive shortage” of plastic cards for driver’s licenses should be the new Land Transportation Office (LTO) leadership’s priority, Senator Grace Poe said on Monday.

Poe spoke after LTO chief Jose Arturo Tugade stepped down from his post.

She believed that Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista would “be on top of the situation.”

READ: Tugade quits as LTO chief; cites differing methods with DOTr

While no new LTO chief has so far been named, Poe stressed that the agency’s leadership movement should not affect its work and obligations to the people.

“As it is, the LTO is left with a small elbow room to produce the plastic cards for licenses to avert a massive shortage. We expect the new leadership will make this a priority, together with clearing up existing backlogs such as vehicle license plates,” she said in a statement.

Tugade earlier announced his resignation, citing differences with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in its public service methods.

In April, the Tugade-led LTO revealed the country is plagued with a dwindling inventory of plastic cards for driver’s licenses.

If the LTO were allowed by the DOTr to proceed with its plan to procure an additional supply of new driver’s license cards in January, Tugade said, the shortage would have been nipped in the bud.

DOTr, however, said it was buying part of the driver’s license cards needed “after the LTO’s failure to undertake procurement activities in compliance with the existing rules.”

READ: Drivers’ license will be printed on paper soon amid low cards supply – LTO

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APL/abc