LTO Eyes Further Reduction in Backlogs on the Issuance of Driver’s License

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) reported that it has already reduced the number of backlogs on the issuance of driver’s licenses but will eye further reduction until it reaches zero level.

“This significant reduction in backlogs is a testament to the LTO’s firm resolve to settle this problem using digital technology and, in the process, remove corruption and red tape. We are happy to report this development, but we will not stop because the ultimate objective is to reach zero backlog level,” LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo “Jay Art” Tugade emphasized.

He said the backlogs on the issuance of driver’s licenses have already been reduced further from almost 300,000 in August 2022 to about 92,000 as of November 2022.

The delays in the issuance of driver’s licenses, LTO Chief Tugade said, has been a big issue and concern for many motorists, which is why the agency worked double time to address this.

One of the causes of backlogs is the defective laser engraving machines in some of the LTO district and extension offices. The LTO has released in its official Facebook page the list of offices with non-functioning or defective laser engravers nationwide.

“Nais naming iparating sa tao na ‘yong mga opisina na defective ang engravers, huwag na po kayong pumunta sa mga opisinang ‘yon. Pumunta kayo sa mga may gumana para hindi masayang ang oras at araw ninyo,” the LTO chief said.

The LTO Chief said that they have been working relentlessly to address the driver’s license backlog issue and to reduce it even further. The objective, he said, was to avoid more inconveniences for applicants who have already endured a long waiting period just to get their hands on their driver’s license.

But for now, the LTO can only do repairs of all defective laser engravers due to lack of funds to procure new ones.

“I commit to deliver those licenses pero kailangan ko rin ng pondo para ma-repair ang engravers natin,” he added.

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