MANILA, PHILIPPINES — As of June 2023, the Philippine government will be producing new driver’s license cards through the National Printing Office (NPO) to address the current shortage of licenses across the country.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista initially met with NPO director Carlos Bathan at the DOTr main office to have discussions regarding this plan.
“Under the deal, the NPO will produce an initial five million plastic driver’s license cards for delivery to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) within 60 days,” Bautista said in the interview.
After the discussions, the DOTr secretary gave the terms of reference to the director. Bathan said he would submit his final proposal within the week.
The secretary issued a special order stating “in the exigency and best interest of the service,” requiring all procurements above P50 million in the department and its sectoral offices – including the LTO and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The LTO would initially run out of plastic cards by the end of April due to the delayed procurement issued by the DOTr order, said LTO chief Jose Arturo Tugade.
LTO officials expressed their dissatisfaction with the inconsistency as license plates were also running out, according to the office.
Despite concerns raised by motorists, the LTO chief, Jose Tugade, announced the extension up to October 31 this year of the validity of all driver’s license cards expiring by April 24, 2023. – WhatALife! Anthony
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