LTO-12 to start release of driver’s license with 5-yr validity

FILE: The official said they are working on the completion of the installation process by the end of the week in all LTO licensing offices in the region.(Photo: Land Transportation Office/Facebook)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY— The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Region 12 is targeting to start by next week the processing and distribution of plastic driver’s license cards with the five-year validity period.

Macario Gonzaga, LTO Region 12 director, said Thursday the installation of the machines and printers for the processing of license cards is currently ongoing in 12 licensing sites in parts of the region.

He said they already completed the installation at the LTO licensing office here and their personnel have started the required tests.

The official said they are working on the completion of the installation process by the end of the week in all LTO licensing offices in the region.

Gonzaga said the LTO central office has allotted 12 machines and printers for Region 12, which covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

But LTO-12 has operational jurisdiction over Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao provinces, which are part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In Region 12, the agency has licensing offices in its district offices in the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato; Midsayap and Kabacan in North Cotabato; Polomolok and Surallah in South Cotabato; and Alabel in Sarangani.

It operates driver’s license renewal centers at the Robinsons Mall here and at the Gaisano Grand Mall in Koronadal City.

After installation, Gonzaga said the machines and printers would be subjected to tests and inspection by members of the Technical Working Group from their central office.

“Once the tests and inspections are completed and will go smoothly, we will immediately proceed with the processing and distribution of the plastic license cards,” he said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed in early August Republic Act No. 10930 that formally extended the validity of driver’s licenses from three to five years.

The LTO has been processing since last year licenses with five-year validity through Administrative Order No. 2016-034 but only issues them through paper receipts.