LTO extends validity of temporary licenses due to shortage of new cards

MANILA, Philippines—The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has lifted the 150-day limit on the validity of temporary licenses due to the shortage of new license cards.

“With the shortage in AMPI’s (Amalgamated Motors Philippines Inc.) license card supply, the LTO was left with no choice but to issue temporary driver’s licenses with a 150-day validity period, with the expectation that AMPI would be able to provide license cards within that period,” the LTO said in a statement on Thursday.

LTO, in memorandum circular No. AVT-2015-1925 issued on March 20, said that the use of temporary license was allowed until the shortage is addressed.

The shortage of license cards stemmed after the LTO discontinued paying its supplier, AMPI, after the Commission on Audit (COA) disallowed further payments due to the absence of a valid contract.

To address the concern, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and the LTO announced on Thursday the opening of a bid for a new supplier of driver’s license cards to take action on the recent shortage of cards at various offices nationwide.

“The P450-million project aims to stabilize supply by the third quarter of 2015,” the DOTC said.

Prospective bidders may begin purchasing bid documents, as bid submission and opening is set on April 20, it added.

The agency said that the bid for each piece of license card should not exceed P90.09, adding that the winning supplier would be required to deliver the goods within 30 calendar days. RC