Higher CTPL for road crash victims pushed

MANILA, Philippines — Victims of road crashes should receive more benefits from a Compulsory Third-Party Liability (CTPL) insurance plan while stricter requirements for professional driver’s licenses must be imposed, according to the Land Transportation Office.

The LTO’s proposed insurance reform would double the maximum CTPL coverage per accident to P400,000 from P200,000, the Insurance Commission said.

Operators of public utility vehicles would pay around P500 more in annual premiums to fund the expanded coverage.

As for professional licenses to operate light vehicles, applicants would have to complete a four-hour practical driving course with lectures on road safety and courtesy, in addition to passing theoretical and practical exams.

For drivers of heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses, the LTO is recommending a 32-hour professional competence course with corresponding assessments.

Presented on Monday by LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II, the proposal aims to shorten the required holding period for nonprofessional licenses, from four to two years, before drivers may qualify for a professional license.

Consultations with the transport sector are ongoing and a final version of the proposal will be crafted with the Department of Transportation and Insurance Commission, the LTO said.