LTO eyes stamping of OR/CR for driver's license validity extension amid plastic card shortage
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is considering stamping vehicle owners' official receipt/certificate of registration (OR/CR) in extending driver’s license validity as a short-term solution amid the shortage of plastic cards being used for its printing.
LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the move is just one of the solutions they are eyeing to implement as the production and delivery of the plastic cards are affected by the Temporary Restraining Order issued by a Quezon City court.
“Lahat ng paraan ay ating gagawin kung sakaling hindi man ma-lift itong TRO sa pagdi-distribute natin ng license cards (We will do everything possible if this TRO is not lifted when we distribute license cards.) All suggestions are being welcomed by the agency. As I've also said before, the LTO has been eyeing to shift to electronic driver's license and of course, extending the validity of the existing licenses," Mendoza said on Tuesday.
“Kasama na rin sa ating pinag-aaralan sa ngayon ang paglalagay ng stamp sa mga ORCR ng mga drivers (What we are studying right now also includes putting a stamp on drivers' ORCRs.)We will consult with the Department of Transportation on what's the best measure so that we will no longer add burden to our drivers and motorists," he added.
Agri party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee earlier proposed stamping vehicle owners' OR/CR as a temporary fix to the LTO's backlog of new driving permit cards.
The TRO’s 20-day validity is set to lapse on Wednesday, Sept. 6, and the LTO is hoping that this would not be further extended to resume the delivery of the plastic cards.
The TRO stemmed from the case filed by Allcard Inc. (Allcard) which lost the bidding for the procurement of over five million plastic cards to Banner Plasticards, Inc. (Trixie Rosel)