LTO drops NBI, police clearance as requirement

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office does not anymore require professional driver’s license applicants to present clearances from the police and the National Bureau of Investigation.

   LTO-7 Director Arnel Tancinco said that effective 4 p.m. yesterday the two requirements have been removed from the list.

  “Beginning at four in the afternoon ganiha, giwagtang na ang police clearance and NBI clearance as a requirement for the issuance of PDL,” said Tancinco.

The LTO required NBI and police clearance in the renewal of professional driver’s license starting on November 9, 2015. However, the LTO was forced to drop the two requirements because of the complaints from the driver’s license applicants nationwide.

“Naay reklamo sa Region VII about the police clearance and NBI clearance pero di ing-ana kadaghan ang reklamo unlike in Metro Manila,” said Tancinco.

A congressional inquiry was conducted the other day because of the numerous complaints against the administrative order AVT 2015-029 that requires PDL applicants to secure the said clearances.

 Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and LTO chief Alfonso Tan Jr. were the signatories of the order.

Under the said order, driver’s license applicants are required to submit NBI and police clearance to show that they have not been convicted of any offense involving “moral turpitude or reckless imprudence resulting from reckless driving.” — (FREEMAN)