LTO extends validity of expired licenses

CEBU, Philippines — The validity period of student-driver’s permit, driver’s license, and conductor’s license which expired on December 31, 2020 has been extended until March 31, 2021 due to the quarantine restrictions imposed by the government that affected those below 25 years old and above 65 years of age.

Land Transportation Office-7 director Victor Caindec announced the extension based on the memorandum issued by LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante.

According to the memorandum, people below 25 years old and those above 65 years old were prevented by the government thru the Inter-Agency Task Force (AITF) from going out of their residence making them impossible to renew their licenses and permits.

The LTO previously extended the validity period of expired licenses and permits until December 31, 2020. However, Galvante said due to the uncertainty of prolonged restrictions, he has decided to extend further the validity period.

He said that the validity of these licenses whose holders were required to remain in their residences during the quarantine period shall be extended to March 31, 2021.

The extension also apply to persons aged 17 years old up to 20 years old and those who are 60 years old and above who were required to remain in their residences during the quarantine period and whose mentioned licenses are due to expire after the lifting of restrictions.

Meanwhile, a dialogue will be held today between Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and members of the Visayas United Truckers Association Inc. to address concerns on the truck bans imposed by the different local government units.

Members of the Cebu Provincial Traffic Board are also expected to attend the dialogue initiated by Caindec.

Earlier, VUTAI President Leoncio Cubarol Jr. said they will appeal to the governor not to allow truck ban on Cansaga road--from Paknaan in Mandaue City to Liloan town---because it will hamper their daily operations.

Cubarol said their organization wanted no truck ban in the said area at any time of the day. At present, truck ban is imposed on Cansaga road from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

According to Cubarol, more than 50 truck operators are affected by the present truck ban. — FPL (FREEMAN)