By DELIA BAGNI
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) assured fast processing of license renewal and students’ permits during the Regular Kapihan with Land Transportation and Frandchising Regulatory Board(LTFRB) Regional Director Celina Claver and Land Transportation Office(LTO) officials at the LTO office, September 12.

The long waiting line for license renewal, application and registration is now a thing in the past according to Licensing Office Officer in Charge Lalaine Sobremonte. She added that the processing of the renewal license now takes two hours maximum, registration and student permit application takes 30 minutes.

Sobremonte said that the department strictly follows and implements window transaction to eliminate fixers. She advised the public not to transact with fixers outside the LTO office for their own benefit.

LTO La Trinidad Head Amante Mendoza added that fast processing of the application depends on the completion of required documents for the vehicles. Mendoza lamented that the problem on slow processing of application is due to the applicants’ non completion of proper documents.

Amante added that the lack of manpower to cater to applicants also contributes to the slow processing of applications. He said that only six employees are available to service the 100 to 250 motorcycle registration applicants everyday. He also requested the director to augment the employees in his department and extend the working time of the employees to cater to more applications.

Meanwhile, Director Claver stated that they are now implementing stricter monitoring and penalties for violations of franchise agreements, traffic laws and city ordinances. She mentioned that they were able to penalize 1,500 irregular private and public utility vehicle franchises in the region. She advised the owners of these franchises to coordinate with them for the regularization of their franchises.

Claver explained that irregular franchises are franchises issued by the LTFRB to applicants who did not properly comply with requirements. She cited as example cases in Baguio City where applicants were without proper garage were able to submit barangay certifications stating that they have. She explained that due to lack of manpower by the LTFRB to check if applicants really have garages, they rely on barangay certifications.

Claver reiterated that irregular franchises are existing franchises that were irregularly issued. She clarified that fake franchises on the other hand are franchises that were fabricated and not issued by the LTFRB. # nordis.net