LTO extends validity of vehicle registration, driver's licenses until Oct. 15

The Land Transportation Office is extending until Oct. 15 the validity of vehicle registration and driver's licenses that expired on Sept. 30. 

With coordination from Acting Department of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez, the LTO is implementing the extension in response to the call of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. to provide assistance to those affected by recent natural calamities.

In a memorandum issued on Oct. 7, LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II directed all the agency's regional directors and district office heads to take note of the extension. Until Oct. 15, no penalties will be collected from vehicle owners and driver's license holders whose registration and license validity lapsed on Sept. 30. 

Likewise, the Sept. 26 deadline for settlement of traffic apprehension cases has been extended until Oct. 15. 

"This is in consideration of the cancellations of government work caused by heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon and Typhoons Nando, Opong, and Paulo, and the devastating earthquake that struck Cebu," Mendoza said in his memo. 

On Sept. 22, Typhoon Nando made landfall in Panuitan Island, Cagayan, bringing with it heavy rain and destructive winds in certain areas of Northern and Central Luzon. The super typhoon caused floods, landslides, and extensive property and agricultural damage in the northern provinces. 

Closely following Typhoon Nando, Typhoon Opong made landfall over San Policarpo, Eastern Samar on Sept. 25 then traveled across the rest of Eastern Visayas and Bicol. At least three people were reported killed in the Bicol region. 

Late on Sept. 30, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake rocked Bogo, Cebu, and was strong enough to be felt in Sorsogon, 400 km away. The quake left at least 69 dead, 147 injured, and ₱2 billion worth of damages

With Luzon still reeling from the previous two typhoons, Typhoon Paulo hit Isabela on Oct. 3. Amidst heavy rains, flooding, and strong winds, the typhoon snaked across Luzon, affecting over 315,000 people and causing agricultural and property damage. 

In light of the consecutive destructive natural calamities the country experienced within a span of less than two weeks, the president ordered the quick rollout of relief and rehabilitation efforts to help the victims of the calamities.