Citing the ever-present threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez prodded the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to get rid of its eight-hour long driving education test requirement for driver's license renewals.

“The convergence of people at this time in LTO offices, many of which are just cramped spaces in malls, could be a virus superspreader. I’m sure LTO officials and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade are aware of this,” Rodriguez said in a statement Thursday, Feb. 10.

The veteran lawmaker said the start of the election campaign period has already caused supporters of candidates to gather in large numbers in sorties and rallies.

“This is already a cause for concern for all of us and for health officials in particular. Let us not exacerbate the situation by having people converge in LTO offices,” he said, adding that there would be "tens of thousands" of people who will be renewing their driver's licenses this year.

Rodriguez noted that while drivers have the option of taking the test in LTO-accredited driving schools, they would have to pay P3,000 to P5,000 for it.

“How can we expect public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers to pay that sum when they are even asking for financial assistance from the national government and local government units?’ he asked, referring primarily to jeepney drivers.

He argued that the huge amount would be an added financial burden not only to PUV drivers but to employees as well who drive their own vehicles.

Rodriguez reminded the LTO that it would be suspected of corruption again if it insists on the requirement by having drivers comply with it through its accredited driving schools.

Rodriguez stressed that the imposition “is also unfair and unjust to millions of vehicle owner-drivers, especially the law-abiding ones, because the government should not be making it hard for them to renew their licenses.”

“The vetting of drivers should be conducted when people apply for driving permits for the first time. After that, renewal should be ministerial on the part of the LTO, except for those with infractions,” he said.