LTO assures bidding process for licenses ongoing

MANILA — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has assured the public that the bidding process for driver’s licenses is already under way for a new supplier, amid its ongoing shortage.

LTO spokesperson Jason Salvador said in an interview that since last month, the bidding process was already in the post-qualification stage with four companies among the participants.

Among the participants is the LTO’s former supplier, Amalgamated Motors Philippines Inc. (AMPI).

At present, LTO has been issuing temporary driver’s licenses valid for 150 days while the bidding process is underway.

To recall, the office last March was forced to disregard the 150-day validity period due to the continued shortage.

The memorandum indicated that expired temporary driver’s licenses will not be charged with a violation until the issue on the shortage is resolved.

“No violation for the use of expired TDL shall be charged until the issue on the shortage/non-availability of plastic cards is fully-addressed,” LTO said in the memorandum.

In an earlier interview, Salvador said that the shortage of plastic materials is due to the fact that the supplier has yet to deliver them.

While the shortage remains unresolved, LTO law enforcers and deputized agents will refrain from apprehending drivers only on the basis of expired temporary driver’s licenses.

This means that temporary driver’s licenses will not be stamped with a 150-day validity period. Instead, the expiry date of the driver’s license will be stamped on temporary licenses.

The office meanwhile assured drivers that availability of the plastic cards will be made known to the public immediately.