LTO Faces Shortage of Plastic Cards for License Printing, Utilizes Temporary License Receipts Instead
ILOILO CITY – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is currently facing a shortage of plastic cards used for printing licenses. As of the end of April, there are only 147,522 plastic cards available for the printing of licenses, which the LTO deems insufficient.
LTO Chief Atty. Jay Art Tugade has stated that due to the shortage, the LTO will be utilizing temporary license receipts as a substitute for plastic cards. The license details will be printed on the back of the receipt, along with a unique QR code which law enforcers can use to verify the legitimacy of the license.
Tugade has also revealed that the shortage of plastic cards is a nationwide problem, with some LTO offices in the National Capital Region already running out of plastic cards while others have a limited supply. He added that the procurement process for 240 million pesos worth of plastic cards and plates is currently ongoing under the Department of Transportation, with completion still pending as of November 15, 2022.
Some jeepney drivers in Iloilo City and the chairman of the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative have expressed their concern regarding the temporary solution. They find it difficult to renew their licenses with temporary prints, which are prone to smudging, tearing, and being easily damaged. They urge the authorities to expedite the production of plastic cards to avoid further delays and inconvenience.
