Curing the LTO’s chronic illness

I commend LTO Asec. Markus Lacanilao for his swift action in firing two employees and a security guard caught red-handed in an extortion scheme. This is the decisive leadership we need to see more of.

However, one good action cannot cure a chronic illness. The LTO remains one of the most visibly problematic agencies we deal with. Just look at the issues:

The never-ending plate backlog: Millions of motorcycle riders are about to be penalized starting January 2026 because the LTO cannot produce the official plates they’ve already paid for. As former Sen. Francis Tolentino pointed out, the agency itself admits it won’t be able to clear the backlog until July 2025. Why punish citizens for the government’s failure?
A history of failed digitalization: Past leadership has been publicly accused of delaying the full implementation of a new IT system, a move that reportedly cost Filipino drivers billions in potential savings. While the current chief claims progress, the shadow of these costly delays remains.
Petty corruption is systemic: The recent case in Quezon City is not isolated. Just weeks ago, the LTO had to investigate an enforcer in Agusan del Sur for allegedly demanding a P1,000-bribe from a truck driver. This “grease money” culture is what ordinary people face daily.

It’s time for a fundamental mindset shift. The LTO should stop acting primarily as a revenue-generating arm like the BIR or Bureau of Customs. Its core mission must be public service: ensuring road safety, streamlining processes to eliminate red tape (and the petty corruption it breeds), and serving the citizens who depend on it.

We applaud the dismissal of a few bad apples. But what we truly need is a complete overhaul of the orchard.