The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Sunday announced that it has removed the periodic medical examination as a requirement for holders of driver's licenses with five to 10 years of validity.
In a statement posted on Facebook, LTO said those who will be given a 5-year validity driver’s license will no longer be mandated to take periodic medical examinations in their 3rd year.
Likewise, those with a 10-year valid driver’s license do not have to undergo the exam in their 4th and 7th year.
According to the agency, LTO Chief Jay Art Tugade ordered the move after learning that no studies have proven that “periodical medical examination could prevent road crashes.”
“Lumabas din aniya sa mga datos na ang kabiguan na sumalang sa periodic medical examination ay hindi kabilang sa mga dahilan ng aksidente sa lansangan,” it said.
With this development, LTO said holders of driver’s licenses with five to 10 years of validity are only required to have a medical examination before renewal.
Meanwhile, overseas Filipinos, who have valid driver’s licenses, have to take their medical examination within 30 days of their arrival in the country.
“Kami sa LTO ay naniniwala na ang hakbang na ito ay magdudulot ng bahagyang ginhawa sa publiko dahil bukod sa hindi na sila kailangang gumastos ng paulit-ulit para sa medical examinations, maiiwasan din ang dagdag-abala lalo na sa mga mahahalaga ang oras para sa trabaho," Tugade said as quoted by the agency.
"Nasa pagkukusa na lang ngayon ng bawat indibidwal kung nanaisin nilang sumalang sa medical examination," he added.
