Duterte tackles license plate, driver’s license issues in SONA

During his first State of the Nation address, President Rodrigo Duterte mentioned two concrete measures to improve the lot of Philippine motorists. He proposed that the motor vehicle plates be issued by the dealers, and not by the Land Transportation Office. He said, ” The issuance and distribution of motor vehicle plates at the point of sale or through motor vehicle dealers shall be considered. Huwag na sa LTO kasi hanggang ngayon, panahon pa ni Hesukristo yung first plate nila, hanggang ngayon wala pa. Bayad na iyon. Until now, sa awa ng Diyos. (Don’t do it via the LTO because since the time of Jesus Christ, their first plate, until now has not been issued. That has been paid for. Until now, by the mercy of God.)

His government will also extend the validity of driver’s licenses from the current three year period to five years.

He also mentioned measures to improve the commuting experience at the Metro and LRT stations: “To reduce queuing time at ticketing stations, tickets sa train will be made readily available and easily accessible to the riding public. Kung bilhin mo iyan, sa malls, stalls and stores. Huwag doon banda sa Recto kasi sigurado pekein iyan.” (Don’t [buy it] at Recto, because it will be surely be faked.)

As for the LRT, the operating hours will be extended from 9:30 to 10:30pm. The number of trains running will be increased from the current 16 with a total of 48 cars per hour, to 20 trains with a total of 60 cars per hour. Train speed will be increased from 40 to 60kph.  He cited the Hong Kong metro as a benchmark.

Duterte pledged to pursue other rail projects such as the Mindanao Rail Project, Davao Transit System, Cebu Transit System, North and South Luzon Railways, and the Panay Railways.