THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Bacolod City is still waiting for the new guidelines on license processing, its top official said.

Rueben Tampos, acting chief of LTO-Bacolod, said the agency is set to implement the Driver’s Education Center that will require applicants for a 15-hour theoretical driving course and driving enhancement program.

Tampos added that once implemented, those processing for their student permit and regular license should comply these new requirements.

“This will be on top of facial identification and online examination, among other procedures,” he said, adding that there will be a scheduled seminar for personnel relative to the implementation of the new guidelines on license processing.

Under the measure, the LTO Regional Office in Iloilo City will also establish a driving education center.

However, the agency will still outsource private centers as it cannot fully cater to all applicants in the region.

Tampos said these private centers have to be accredited first by the LTO. The former will issue a certificate to the applicant for him to be given a license by the office.

He said the measure actually forms part of the LTO’s efforts to boost road safety among motorists.

“Some of the driver’s license holders lack training and seminar thus, this is one of the solutions,” Tampos said, adding that this is part of the action plan implemented by the LTO.

Moreover, the official stressed that road accidents are now a worldwide concern.

Tampos said that based on statistics, there are more road crash deaths compared to diseases like dengue fever in the country.

“This might be an additional burden to the drivers, but it is hoped to address the problem on road safety,” he added.