Senator Raffy Tulfo is pushing for a Senate inquiry into what he described as "anti-poor" procedures of obtaining driver's licenses and registration of vehicle at the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
In filing a Senate Resolution, Tulfo cited the issue of the costly medical examination, one of the requirements in the theoretical driving course (TDC) and practical driving course (PDC).
"There is a need to ensure that the process of obtaining a driver's license is streamlined, affordable, cost-efficient, and impenetrable by fixers," he said.
The Senator also pointed out that "there have been issues" with the process of vehicle registration, particularly the requirement of Compulsory Third-Party Liability (CTPL) insurance.
"The payment of both the CTPL and comprehensive motor vehicle insurance can be burdensome for many vehicle owners, especially those who are already struggling with the rising costs of vehicle ownership," Tulfo said.
Aside from these, the Senator also seeks an investigation into the shortage of plastic cards used for the printing of driver's licenses. He particularly wants to look into the bidding process for the plastic cards to prevent similar incidents to reoccur.
Earlier, the LTO announced that the shortage of plastic cards nationwide has forced them to issue temporary driver's documents printed on paper.
"Be it further resolved, that the appropriate committees of this legislative body conduct hearings," Tulfo said, adding that the hearings should be attended by representatives from the LTO, Department of Transportation, Insurance Commission, driving schools, and insurance companies.
