SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go has called on the Land Transportation Office and the Department of Transportation to work together and address the current shortage of plastic driver’s license cards in the country. The senator emphasized the need for an immediate solution to alleviate the burden on motorists who are already struggling with various challenges.

In an ambush interview after personally aiding indigents in Cabarroguis, Quirino on Saturday, April 22, Go stressed the need for the government to anticipate any possible supply shortage of the cards and to find a way to provide a more efficient and timely service to the public.

“Alam n’yo tayong nasa gobyerno, unahin po natin ang comfort at convenience ng bawat Pilipino. Huwag n’yo pong pahirapan. Dapat po na-anticipate na kung magkakaroon po ng shortage ng supply ng card,” said Go.

“Eh, nagbabayad naman po ang Pilipino. Bakit bibigyan ng papel? Bakit papahirapan? Gawan po dapat ng paraan,” he urged.

“Solusyunan dapat ang problema at huwag ipasa ang burden sa ordinaryong Pilipino,” he added.

The senator expressed concern over the possible inconveniences of issuing paper-based temporary licenses, particularly since license owners would eventually need to go back to LTO again just to have these replaced.

“Kaya nga po noong panahon ni dating Pangulong Duterte ginawang five years na po ang validity ng ating (driver’s license) card at kapag wala kang violation ay maaaring maging 10 years po ito. Ibig sabihin para hindi na po pabalik-balik ang mga kababayan natin na pumunta ng opisina at pumila doon sa LTO. Ngayon kung papel po ang ibibigay sa kanila, eh papabalikin n’yo na naman po ang mga driver,” he said.

The senator also reminded the LTO and DOTr that their job is to provide efficient public service, especially to drivers who may already be struggling with the financial burdens of their work.

“Trabaho po natin sa gobyerno na pagserbisyuhan po ang ating mga kababayan, lalung-lalo na po ang mga driver na maiistorbo po ang kanilang araw ng pamamasada sa kakapila para kumuha ng lisensya,” he said.

“At ngayon kung papel ang ibibigay, paano kung umulan, nasa bulsa nila ‘yan eh nabasa, napunit tapos kapag hinuli ng pulis, panibagong problema na naman. Sasabihin walang plastic card. Kawawa naman po ang mga drivers natin na mahirap. Huwag pong pahirapan,” he added.

According to the LTO, it has projected that there will only be a remaining supply of 147,000 plastic cards. It was cited that this amount is only enough to accommodate the demand for the month of April in all LTO branches throughout the country. The agency has already allocated a budget of PhP249 million for the purchase of 5.2 million plastic cards for the year, but the procurement process has been reportedly plagued with delays.

Go then urged the agencies to work together and find a solution to the current issue rather than blaming each other and causing further delays.

“Ako po ay nakikiusap sa inyo bilang miyembro po ng Committee on Public Services. Ayusin po ang dapat ang trabaho para naman po mabigyan ng maayos na serbisyo po ang mga tsuper, ang mga drivers natin na isang kahig, isang tuka,” appealed Go.

“Pupunta po ‘yan sa mga LTO offices para makakuha ng lisensya tapos ibibigay n’yo sa kanila, papel. Babalik ‘yan para ike-claim naman ang plastic. Kawawa naman,” he ended.