New LTO head: Jay Art Tugade, son of former DOTr Secretary

A familiar name in the transportation sector is now taking the helm of the controversial Land Transportation Office (LTO).

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced in a Nov. 14, 2022 press statement that lawyer Jose Arturo “Jay Art” Tugade has been appointed LTO chief.

He is the son of lawyer and businessman Arthur Tugade, who served as DOTr secretary during the Duterte administration. 

The younger Tugade had also been the acting general manager and chief executive officer of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) since October 2022.

Transport secretary Jaime Bautista said Tugade was chosen for the LTO after the two talked about the MIAA appointment.

“While Atty. Tugade's appointment was announced a few weeks ago, we have come to a conclusion that he is best suited for the very challenging job in the LTO,” Bautista said.

“With his experience in management and litigation, I believe that he will make a difference in the LTO with the many problems and controversies being faced by the agency,” he added. 

Bautista said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. understood the “gravity of the situation in LTO” and “the willingness of Atty. Jay Art to do it.”

The DOTr added that lawyer Teofilo Guadiz III, who has been LTO officer-in-charge since July 2022, is now an assistant secretary of the agency’s Road Sector.

Issue-ridden agency

The LTO has been under fire in recent years for various controversies.

This includes the botched implementation of the mandatory Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) scheme that was rolled out under former DOTr chief Tugade’s time.

Designed to replace simple emission testing as a prerequisite for vehicle registration, the PMVICs emulated international vehicle testing centers by inspecting parameters like tire wear and braking action.

However, these were later made optional following allegations of high costs, faulty equipment and poor testing standards.

The LTO has also taken flak for the slow production of new license plates, which also includes replacing the license plates of all older vehicles. 

The agency said on July 2022 that it would seek PhP 6.8 billion in funding from Congress to address the plate backlog, which has reached 11.5 million for motorcycles and 2.3 million pairs for cars as of October 2022. 

Guadiz said the agency would clear 90 percent of its backlog by the end of 2023.

What other matters should the new LTO chief address? We wish Atty. Jay Art all the best in his new role!