DOTr names Villacorta as LTO caretaker

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Hector Villacorta has been designated as officer-in-charge of the Land Transportation Office following the resignation of LTO chief Jay Art Tugade over “differences” with DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista.

Bautista said Villacorta would hold the LTO top post until President Marcos appoints a permanent chief.

Villacorta will serve as the LTO caretaker concurrently as DOTr assistant secretary for communications and commuter affairs.

He previously served as secretary of the Commission on Appointments.

Villacorta said he would focus on resolving the lack of plastic cards and blank vehicle license plates, adding he would conduct an inventory of the financial and physical resources of the LTO.

“This is not really a transition. It is a continuation of the efforts done by the LTO all these years. We live in an institution where personalities may change, but we will carry on,” he said.

Villacorta thanked Bautista for entrusting the LTO post to him.

During the turnover rites at the LTO central office in Quezon City yesterday, Bautista thanked Tugade for his service, saying he “contributed much to the success of the agency.”

“I respect your decision and I look forward to still working with you. I know that you will continue to support the LTO and DOTr,” Bautista said.

Tugade stepped down from office recently, citing differences with Bautista.

“It’s difficult because I wanted to continue, but I can’t due to differences in perspectives, beliefs and principles with Secretary Bautista. Because of this, I gave him the freedom to choose who he wants to lead LTO – someone he can get along with and someone who believes in the same policies,” Tugade said in Filipino.

Last April, Tugade and Bautista blamed each other for the depleting supply of plastic cards for driver’s license.

In November 2022, Tugade was named LTO chief and replaced Teofilo Gadiz weeks after he was appointed general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority.

During his six-month stint in the LTO, Tugade was able to craft policies, including the single ticketing scheme, a price ceiling on driving school fees, extended registration for motorcycles and the prohibition on confiscation of license plates.

He also spearheaded the creation of digital driver’s license and 10 LTO satellite offices.

The LTO said it was able to generate revenue of P7.9 billion this year. – Ralph Edwin Villanueva