THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) is looking into stamping the official receipt/certificate of registration (OR/CR) of vehicle owners as an alternative solution to the shortage of plastic driver’s license cards.
LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said they are exploring all options to overcome the current shortage of plastic cards in case the temporary restraining order (TRO) against the LTO’s release of the license cards was not lifted.
“We are looking at all possibilities in case the TRO against our distribution of license cards is not lifted. All suggestions are welcomed by the agency),” Mendoza said in a statement Tuesday.
In addition to stamping of OR/CRs, shifting to electronic or digital driver’s licenses or extending the validity of existing licenses are also being eyed.
“We will consult with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on what’s the best measure so that we will no longer add burden to our drivers and motorists,” he said.
He expressed confidence however that the TRO would be lifted and the backlog for driver’s licenses immediately addressed.
Earlier, Agri party-list Representative Wilbert Lee suggested stamping the OR/CR of vehicle owners as a stop-gap measure to the LTO’s backlog of new driver’s license cards.
In August, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 125 issued a TRO against the LTO’s release of new plastic cards due to a petition from its previous card supplier, Allcard Inc. (Allcard).
The petition was filed after the DOTr awarded the LTO’s cards supply contract to Banner Plasticard Inc. despite a lower bid from Allcard due to a “post-qualification” process that resulted in the disqualification of Allcard.
The decision to disqualify Allcard was made based on feedback from other government agencies and private companies on Allcard’s services.