LTO reviewing policies to streamline procedures

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tuesday is reviewing its existing policies including those on issuing driver’s licenses to further streamline its systems and processes, LTO chief Assitant Secretary Jay Art Tugade has said.

“Nire-review po namin ngayon ang mga polisiya regarding medical exam, driving exam, [at] insurance. Marami pa po kaming pinag-aaralan, pinag-uusapan, ine-evaluate, [at] ina-analyze,” said LTO chief Jay Art Tugade in a public briefing.

(We’re currently reviewing our policies on medical exams, driving exams, and insurance. But we’re still eyeing to review more of our policies. We’re studying, evaluating, discussing, and analyzing them.)

“Actually as we speak, ‘yung technical working group in charge of reviewing itong driving schools, driving exams, [ay] masusing pinag-aaralan ano pa pwedeng baguhin, ano pa ang pwedeng i-compress, ano pa po pwedeng i-improve sa existing policies at sistema upang mas mapadali, mapabilis, mapagaan ang buhay ng mga kababayan,” he said.

(Actually, as we speak, a technical working group is carefully studying the policies on driving schools and exams so we can identify which areas can be improved for public convenience.)

On Sunday, the LTO announced the removal of mandatory periodic medical examinations for holders of driver's licenses with a five-year and 10-year validity.

Tugade said the amendment to LTO Memorandum Circular 2021-2285 or the Supplemental Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 10930, was implemented to ease the burden on motorists.

However, he said medical examination would remain required for those who will apply for the first time or will renew their driver’s licenses.

Under existing rules, holders of driver's licenses with five-year validity have to secure medical clearances by the third birthdate from the issuance of the license.

Holders of driver's licenses with 10-year validity have to undergo medical examination on the fourth and seventh birthdates from the issuance of the license.

Meanwhile, the LTO chief said the agency is also likewise ramping up efforts to eradicate fixers.

"Hindi naman magkakaroon ng fixer kung mapapadali natin ang proseso sa LTO kaya sinusulong namin, tinutulak namin ang digitalization, pinapadali namin ang proseso sa LTO nang sa ganoon ay talagang ang mga kababayan natin, hindi na hahanap... ng fixer na tutulong sa kanila," said Tugade.

(There will be no fixers if we can cut the processes of LTO that’s why we’re also rallying for the agency;’s full digitalization. We know our motorists wouldn’t rely on fixers if our processes are easy.) —NB, GMA Integrated News