Herrera files resolution seeking probe on shortage of plastic ID driver’s licenses

DEPUTY Minority Leader of Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Representative Bernadette Herrera has filed a proposed resolution (House Resolution Number 926) calling for an investigation, in aid of legislation and consistent with congressional oversight over the Executive branch, on the alleged shortage of plastic identification cards for driver’s licenses and alleged delays encountered in the procurement of the IDs.

Congress is still in the process of amending government procurement laws. Bills on procurement are pending before the House committee on revision of laws and other committees.

“We want to know specifically and in detail where during the procurement process the Land Transportation Office keeps encountering problems over and over again.We will welcome suggestions from the LTO and the Department of Transportation on what changes can be made to the procurement process by removing unnecessary documents and stages,” said Herrera in a statement.

She said the Anti-Red Tape Authority will also be invited to make sure they have given the House their inputs, findings, and recommendations. ARTA is the lead agency on removing red tape and streamlining processes in government.

“We have confidence in the leadership of the LTO in the person of its Chief, Assistant Secretary Jay Art Tugade with DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista at the helm. We are aware the problem has its origins before he was appointed to the LTO and that he acted with dispatch upon learning of the problem. The reforms he has been implementing at LTO prove Assistant Secretary Tugade is a results-oriented reformer and manager,” Herrera added.