Land Transportation Office chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II on Monday said they have entered into an agreement with the Philippine Society of Medicine for Drivers for the unconditional donation of four million pieces of plastic cards that will be used in the printing of driver's licenses.

Mendoza signed the agreement with PSMED president Dr. Albert Alegre on Monday, 18 December 2023, the Deed of Donation will pave the way for the delivery of 300,000 pieces of plastic cards 21 days after the LTO issues an authority, or expectedly in the first week of January 2024, to the supplier of the donor to use the design of the LTO driver's license.

The same agreement stated that 300,000 pieces will be delivered every 15 days after the first delivery is completed and 100,000 pieces for the last delivery until the four million pieces of plastic cards are completed.

The donation of the four million pieces of plastic cards were consulted with the Department of Transportation and underwent a strict review process by the office of DoTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista.

This donation is timely as it came at a time when we in the LTO are facing a serious challenge of addressing the backlog and daily usage of plastic-printed driver's license amid the uncertainty on the outcome of the legal battle on the plastic cards that the LTO procured early this year.

With the commitment of four million plastic cards, Mendoza said new applications and renewal of driver's license will now be issued with plastic cards, the priority is still the overseas Filipino workers.

Aside from the plastic cards, Dr. Alegre said that they will also donate four sets of digital microscopes, UV lens and decoding lens as part of the measure to ensure the security of the production of the driver's license.

"On behalf of the men and women of the LTO and the Filipino people, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to the Philippine Society of Medicine for Drivers headed by Dr. Albert Alegre for this generous donation which we consider as an early Christmas gift to millions of our clients," Mendoza said.

 "This donation is timely as it came at a time when we in the LTO are facing a serious challenge of addressing the backlog and daily usage of plastic-printed driver's license amid the uncertainty on the outcome of the legal battle on the plastic cards that the LTO procured early this year," he added.

For his part, Dr. Alegre said members and officials of the PSMED approved the donation after learning of the legal obstacle in addressing the backlog on driver's licenses.