ILOILO City – Drivers expressed concern over the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) decision to issue temporary driver’s licenses printed on bond papers.
On April 21, LTO chief Jay Art Tugade issued a memorandum order stating “all holders of driver’s license cards expiring on April 24 onwards shall no longer be required to renew their licenses until Oct. 31, or as soon as the driver’s license cards become available for distribution to the public.”
Tugade’s decision follows a nationwide shortage of plastic cards used for the license.
But if the holders want to get or renew their driver’s licenses, LTO could only issue a temporary license.
It would contain an official receipt printed on bond paper together with a QR code that has the information of the holder or motorist when scanned by the LTO Law Enforcement Services and LTO-deputized agents to check the authenticity.
Drivers interviewed by Panay News expressed concern.
Among them was Eliezer Baclagon, president of the Jaro Liko-Tagbak jeepney association.
He said the government should address the shortage of plastic cards as soon as possible because a license is essential to drivers and a “weapon” every time they are on the road.
“Butangan ta system kay ang driver’s license amo na ang amon kasiguraduhan, amo na ang palangitan-an bilang driver,” said Baclagon.
Baclagon lamented that the government has even found a way to give motorists a number plate but cannot provide a plastic driver’s license.
If on paper, the driver said it could easily be mistaken, lost, or disposed of.
“Bisan ano mo pa na nga halong kay bisan ang lisensya ta gani nga plastic kung mabilin ta sa bulsa ta kag malabhan nagakabasa, ayhan pa na ang papel,” added Baclagon.
Taxi driver Joel Magbanua shared the same thoughts.
“Indi manami nga papel lang amon lisensya kay madali madunot, malabhan sang asawa namon wala na ina,” he said.
Jonaldo Lopez, a driver plying the Jaro Liko-Tagbak route, echoed the same. He is sure that the paper driver’s license will not last because once it is folded, it will quickly tear.
“Kon papel ang lisensya mabasa kag madasig nga madunot,” said Lopez.
To protect the temporary driver’s license, Lopez said it is better to laminate it in plastic.
Meanwhile, Elizer Jalice, a taxi driver, said there is nothing he could do if that is the case except take extra care of it.
“Wala man ta mahimu kay wala man sila sang plastic cards. Halongan ta lang nga indi ta madunot,” said Jalice.
Jalice renewed his license in December 2022, with a validity of five years.
Taxi driver George Escoton said motorists can’t do anything about it but adjust.
But he hoped that the government would be able to buy plastic cards as soon as possible.
“Tani ginapreparahan na nila kay kinahanglanon ina sang drivers. Order sila sang madamo para madugay nga maubos,” added Escoton.
Wilne Advincula, driver of Jaro Liko-Tagbak jeepney, said: “Indi man puede nga indi namon pagdal-on kada adlaw kay amo na [driver’s license] ang ginapangita sang enforcers.”
Advincula also worries about its authenticity and that the Philippine National Police (PNP) might not recognize the temporary driver’s license if needed.
Leganes-SM City Highway driver Albert Tianes said a paper-printed version could easily be copied by fraudsters.
“Paano nga sa papel, damo na ya ma-ano sa imo ngalan kag basi gamiton sang…ikaw ya kaluluoy,” said Tianes.
TEMPORARY DRIVER’S LICENSE ON PAPER
LTO-6 confirmed they will also issue temporary driver’s licenses printed on bond paper to all who wish to obtain or renew the license.
“We will print it sa paper, but still may security features kita dira. Ang aton nga i-print upod dira ang supposed ID mo, ang unod sang ID together with an official receipt and QR code nga puede naton ma-determine ang authenticity sang imo nga OR code,” said Atty. Allan Sacramento, LTO-6 operations division acting chief.
Sacramento assured that law enforcers and their deputized agents would recognize the temporary driver’s license.
“A temporary driver’s license is good as a valid driver’s license for the meantime, which will be acknowledged man nationwide,” he said.
In the region, Sacramento estimates that 150,000 to 200,000 licenses will be subject to renewal from April to October this year.
Sacramento still encouraged holders to opt to renew their licenses to avoid the rush once the supply of plastic card holders from the LTO-central office arrives.
“Better you process the renewal, and later on you can have the driver’s license plastic card,” he said.
The LTO-6 officer believes that the extended validity of the license and issuing the temporary driver’s license are the LTO’s measures, together with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), to continue providing the service despite a shortage of plastic cards.
Because of this, Sacramento is asking for the understanding of motorists.
“Nagapangayo kami sang pasensya sa kakulangan sang amon mga supplies,” he added.
Last week, Tugade announced that only 147,000 plastic cards were remaining, and these are expected to run out before the end of April.
Tugade said that as early as November 2022, after he assumed office, he discovered that the number of plastic cards was at a critical level.
He added that in January, the DOTr issued a department order instructing all attached agencies that procurements of P50 million and above will be conducted by the DoTr central office.
The DOTr said it is just going by procurement rules.
According to Tugade, the LTO issues at least 30,000 plastic cards daily for driver’s licenses.
The LTO allocates a budget of at least P240 million for the plastic cards of 5.2 million driver’s license holders.
He said it will depend on the DOTr bidding process when the plastic cards will be available. He added the shortage will persist until the end of the year, depending on the bidding process. (With a report from philstar.com)/PN
