MOTC, DOTr hold Pre-IGRB Meeting

One of the pending issues in the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) between the National Government (NG) and the Bangsamoro Government (BG) is the transfer of powers, functions, properties, and assets of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). On Friday, January 27, 2023, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), led by its Minister, Atty. Paisalin Tago met with officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) led by Secretary Jaime Bautista to resolve the issues before the next IGRB meeting by the 4th week of February.

During the meeting, the MOTC and DOTr, resolved/agreed on the following:
1. The possible extension of the LTO system to the Bangsamoro Land Transportation Office (BLTO) or entering into a Memorandum of Agreement or Understanding (MOA/MOU) for the interconnectivity of the 2 offices.
2. The recognition by the NG of the Driver’s Licenses and Renewals of Car Registration by the BLTO.
3. The creation of a small Technical Working Group to discuss the timeline for the transfer of assets and properties of the LTO within BARMM to the Bangsamoro Government.

The meeting was also attended by officials of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) led by Undersecretary Wilford Wong, representing DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, co-chairperson of the IGRB. Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Executive Director Wilben Mayor, who serves as Secretariat for the NG, and officials from the Bangsamoro Attorney General’s Office (BAGO) who serves as Secretariat for the BG, were also present during the said meeting.