The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has extended the schedule for the renewal of driver's licenses as part of its efforts to address the backlog in license renewals by June this year. Plates Unit officer-in-charge Nivette Amber Pastorite announced this extension during a forum in Quezon City on Saturday.
Pastorite stated that the LTO is working diligently to clear the backlog in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to process all pending applications for driver’s license renewals.
Additionally, Pastorite confirmed that all pending applications for motor vehicle plates have been fulfilled, eliminating the backlog in this area. “Currently, we have no more backlog in motor vehicle plates,” she said.
However, she noted that there is still a significant backlog concerning motorcycle plates. “A lot of the backlogs come from the motorcycle plates,” she explained. Pastorite expressed confidence that these backlogs will be addressed soon, thanks to the recent acquisition of 21 printers and a proposal to procure an additional 365 card printers.
In related news, the LTO is set to release the implementing guidelines of Executive Order No. 12 in July. EO 12 temporarily modifies the rates of import duty on electric vehicles, parts, and components.
Engr. Oliver Marique of the LTO stated that the agency is currently drafting the policy for EO 12. “As of date, based on EO, we are still drafting the policy about this. Hopefully, we would release the guidelines on a later date. Hopefully, by July,” Marique said at the forum. He assured that the LTO will release the policy immediately once it is finalized.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who chairs the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, approved the expansion of EO 12 on May 15, 2024. The executive order originally reduced tariffs on electric vehicles until 2028.
