Traditional jeepneys will be gone by the end of this month, and so are the plastic cards used for drivers’ licenses.

Land Transportation Office chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II  reported yesterday that they will run out of plastic cards for driver’s licenses in about two weeks despite a donation of four million cards from a private group. 

In a radio interview, Mendoza said their supply of plastic cards might be good for a couple of weeks from now, as some district offices in malls have already ran out of plastic cards for driver’s licenses.

“As far as the card is concerned, wala pa tayong card. ‘Yung donation of 4 million card, was still awaiting the final OSG opinion para plantsado lang ‘yung the legal side,” Mendoza said. 

“Ang totoo po d’yan, nauubusan na tayo ng card. We have recommended to the Secretary the agency to agency acquisition from government printing offices na para mapabilis. Kasi wala. By the end of January, I think our inventory as of yesterday is only good for two weeks,” he explained.

Mendoza added that they are still waiting for the final opinion ofthe Office of the Solicitor General to ensure the legality of the donation.

An association of medical clinics has donated four million plastic cards worth an estimated P160 million to the agency as announced by Mendoza last month, adding that he had also already been informed by the OSG that there is no problem with the donation. 

“Kailangan natin ng black and white and we have to coordinate with Congress with the committee on transportation para malaman kung ano pa ang concern ng committee,” Mendoza further explained. 

Beside, Mendoza said, the donation must undergo a technical review, which would require approval from the Department of Science and Technology for the plastic cards’ thickness, weight, and quality of the material which could last three weeks of process. 

However, the LTO Chief added that they need 12 million cards this year.