Nangako ang Land Transportation Office (LTO) ngayong Martes, Disyembre 6, na tutugunan ang maraming reklamo tungkol sa pagkaantala sa pag-iisyu ng driver’s license sa gitna ng mga ulat ng defective laser engraving sa ilang mga opisina nito sa buong bansa.

Sinabi ni LTO chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo “Jay Art” Tugade na sinimulan na nila ang ilang hakbang na talagang nagpababa sa backlog ng driver’s license mula halos 300,000 noong Agosto hanggang 92,000 lamang noong nakaraang buwan.

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

Isa sa mga dahilan ng pagkakaatraso, ayon sa kanya, ay ang mga depektong laser engraving machine sa ilang LTO district at extension offices.

VP Sara, tahasang iginiit na hindi niya binoto si Romuadlez

Inilabas ng LTO sa kanilang opisyal na Facebook page ang listahan ng mga opisinang may hindi gumagana o may sira na laser engravers sa buong bansa.

“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,” sabi ni Tugade.

“We 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,” dagdag niya.

Ngunit sa ngayon, sinabi ni Tugade na maaari lamang ayusin ng LTO ang lahat ng may sira na laser engravers dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo para makabili ng mga bago.

“I commit to deliver those licenses but I also need funds for the repair of our engravers,” sabi niya.

Aaron Recuenco