DOTC order yet to take effect in Davao

THE Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) ordered on Tuesday evening the suspension of the implementation of a new directive, mandating additional requirements for drivers who seek to acquire or renew their professional license.

This was announced on Wednesday by Macario Gonzaga, assistant regional director of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Davao, but was quick to add this will not take effect yet in Davao Region as they are still waiting for the suspension order to be furnished to their office.

He said the decision to suspend Administrative Order AVT-2015-029, which requires applicants for professional drivers' license to present police and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearances as part of the new requirements aside from the medical certificate, was made after Senate President Ralph Recto questioned the new directive during the Senate Budget hearing on Tuesday.

The new directive is also conceived as a burden to motorists and adversely affects the livelihood of the drivers.

Gonzaga said they came up with this new directive after a public hearing participated by different stakeholders last October 12 in Cagayan de Oro City.

"Ni-require namin ang mga dagdag requirements kasi kelangan hirap-hirapan natin ang mga drivers na kumukuha ng professional license kasi sila ang nagdadala sa safety ng mga passengers particularly those who are driving public utility vehicles (PUV)," Gonzaga told reporters in Wednesday's AFP-PNP press conference at The Garden by the Bay.

Recto, in his statement, said the new directive is just a burden to the motorists.

Gonzaga said also one of the reasons for the suspension order issued by DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya was the petition of drivers before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) to scrap the new directive.

Gonzaga, meanwhile, clarified other new requirements, particularly on age-requirement for student permit and other professional license will still remain.

"Sa student permit, kelangan 17 years old na ang applicant while sa professional or non-prof licenses naman ay 18 years old dapat," he added.

He felt apologetic about the hassle brought by the new requirements to the applicants but stated this is their way to promote the safety of the motorists and their passengers.

Gonzaga said that they are just following directives from the higher office.

Applicant volume up

Gonzaga also admitted that there was a reported increase in volume of applicants at the NBI office just after the implementation of the new administrative order.

"Yes, nagdouble ang volume sa mga clients nato nagkuha ug mga clearances sa NBI and police," he said.

Express lanes and satellite offices for both NBI and PNP should be put up especially neighboring provinces including Compostella Valley, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur to lessen the number of volume of applicants, Gonzaga said.

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