Tugade Resigns As LTO Chief

MANILA: Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo “Jay Art” Tugade has resigned as the agency's head, claiming differences in “methods” with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista.

“Even as DOTr and LTO both aim to succeed in serving the public, our methods to achieve that success differ. For this reason, I am stepping down, so Secretary Jimmy Bautista will have the free hand to choose who he can work best with,” Tugade said in a statement.

Tugade took over as LTO chief on November 17, 2022, making the total duration of his tenure just over six months.

During his time in office, he implemented the switch from written temporary operator's permits to an electronic system, capping of driving lessons rates, and discounted fees as an incentive for the purchase of electric vehicles.

“I will continue to root for the LTO's success even as a private citizen because I will always share in Secretary Bautista’s belief that our offices can be a formidable force for good in our country,” Tugade added.

Bautista expressed his gratitude for Tugade's service as head of the LTO, a DOTr-affiliated agency.

“His pursuit of service innovations at LTO benefited the public, for which this office is grateful,” Bautista stated.

“We will submit to the Office of the President our recommendation of an LTO chief who can display the same fervor while aligning efforts to the mission of this department,” Bautista added.

Earlier, the LTO started producing driver's licenses on paper since there was a shortage of the necessary cards, and license plates for both motorcycles and vehicles are expected to run out by June and July, respectively.

Tugade claimed that the DOTr's decision to push back the deadline for the submission of bids for these materials from April 24 to May 24 has added to the delay.

However, Bautista said that the delay was caused by the LTO starting the license card and plate procurement procedure in March rather than August last year.

Photo from Land Transportation Office Facebook page

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