DOTr - LTO Press Statement on News Reports Quoting Some Government Officials Who are Suggesting that the DOTr and LTO Should no Longer Be Reviving the Contract on Motor Vehicle Plates

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DOTr-LTO PRESS STATEMENT

11 September 2018

This is in response to news reports quoting some government officials who are suggesting that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) should no longer be reviving the contract on motor vehicle plates.

We would like to clarify that there is no legal basis to cancel the contract. In January 2018, the Supreme Court lifted its Temporary Restraining Order and dismissed the petition questioning the constitutionality of the procurement, while the Commission on Audit lifted its Notice of Disallowance on the advance payment for the deal last July, effectively clearing the contract of irregularities. The DOTr-LTO is duty-bound to honor the contract regardless of which administration started it.

The insinuation that reviving the deal “reeks of unpardonable graft” is prejudiced and unfair.  Questions about the deal should be taken up with the Supreme Court and the COA. 

The only concern of the DOTr-LTO now is to distribute the plates to the millions of Filipino motorists, following the aforesaid decisions of the SC and the COA. This is not a case of accommodation or corruption, just public service.

DOST-SEI and Smart Bring DOST Courseware to Remote Schools

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Filipino students in remote areas will soon have access to the DOST Courseware – an interactive science and math resource conceptualized and produced by the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI).

Thanks to a recent partnership between DOST-SEI and Smart Communications, students in the most far-flung schools in the country will be able to use the DOST Courseware app. The app will come preinstalled in the tablets included in every Smart School-in-a-Bag package and will be given to students and teachers from 32 schools in Tawi-Tawi, Davao, Cagayan, Benguet, La Union, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Capiz, Iloilo, Cebu, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Maguindanao.

DOST-SEI provided sets of the courseware to Smart during the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing held on August 1, 2018 at the DOST-SEI office in Taguig City. The sets include Modules in Science and Mathematics for Elementary Schools, Grades 1-6 Mathematics, and Grades 7 and 8 Science and Mathematics.

While the app is primarily designed for use of students, teachers will find the K to 12-aligned resource valuable in enhancing their teaching of science and mathematics.

DOST-SEI Director Josette Biyo encouraged teachers and students to take advantage of the DOST Courseware. “The DOST Courseware is engaging, educational, and designed with Filipinos in mind. The characters, stories, and activities are relatable to Filipino students,” she said.

The DOST Courseware is a project of the DOST-SEI in partnership with DOST-Advance Science and Technology Institute and in cooperation with the Department of Education, Philippine Normal University and UP National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education.

Schools may request free copies of the DOST Courseware. The app is also available for free download on Google Play with versions compatible for Android and Windows users. For copies, research inquiries, and other concerns, interested parties may email arisedost@gmail.com.(30)

Contact person: Lovely B. Aquino, SEI

Mobile No.: 09179201122, Tel. No.: 837-1925, 8372071 loc 2384

More Oil Firms Heed DOE Discount Call

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The Department of Energy (DOE) has been working closely with oil firms in aggressive pursuit of mitigating measures that would help consumers cope with rising prices.

Following consultation meetings, ten oil companies with a total of 1,317 participating retail stations are now offering discounts from one peso (Php 1.00) to three pesos (Php 3.00) to public utility vehicles (PUVs). These are Caltex, Filpride, Jetti, Petron, Phoenix, PTT, Seaoil, Shell, Total, and Unioil.

The DOE has posted the list of participating gasoline stations in its official website (QUICK LINKS - PRICE WATCH)https://www.doe.gov.ph/oil-monitor for reference.

“Enhancing competition in the downstream oil industry indeed benefits our consumers. At a time like this, it is crucial that the government and industry stakeholders come together to jointly provide solutions that would help fight inflation,” DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

Constant coordination between the DOE and oil firms resulted in this most recent development, where said firms decided to extend fuel discounts to PUVs even without a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department.

After the 20 August meeting of Sec. Cusi with the oil companies to discuss anti-inflationary strategies, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation granted an additional discount of 25 centavos (P0.25) per liter of diesel fuel at selected retail stations. This is on top of the existing Php 1 to 2 discount being availed by PUVs under the MOA signed with DOE on 1 March 2018.

In the past months, the DOE likewise encouraged the use of electric vehicles, pure and hybrid, to introduce other means to cushion against the impact of the volatile world market prices of petroleum products.

The Energy Chief also appealed to consumers to adopt an energy efficient lifestyle. “Simple steps such as carpooling, walking or riding bikes to nearby destinations are some changes that could reduce our dependence on fuel,” he added.

The DOE continues to assure the public that it will continue to find ways to help consumers amid rising prices in the market.