MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) plans to build the “mother of all its licensing centers” by relocating its Diliman District office inside the vast campus of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Quezon City.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Virginia Torres said the proposal stemmed from public criticism of how congested the LTO compound along East Avenue has been. The LTO compound houses the LTO central office, the Diliman District Office, the LTO impounding area, and the business complex of Stradcom Corporation, the LTO’s exclusive information technology and interconnectivity provider.

“As we are about to mark LTO’s 100th anniversary this year, we want to improve the appearance of the compound that houses the LTO central office. We want to free up space by relocating the Diliman District Office,” she said.

Torres said she has forwarded to the Department of Transportation and Communications and UP the exterior perspective and floor plan of what she called a “Standard LTO Class ‘A’ Licensing Center” that is proposed to rise on a portion of the property of the UP Ayala Techno Hub.

She said the proposed “Standard LTO Class ‘A’ Licensing Center” will be the model of future LTO licensing centers that will be built by government. It will be designed to cater to the growing demand for transactions about motor vehicle registration and drivers’ license applications.

“As can be gleaned from the proposed plans, the LTO would need a total floor area of at least 600 square meters for the lobby, pantry and licensing areas, examination, computer, records, stock and electrical rooms, and the office of the chief of the licensing division. Furthermore, the LTO would need an additional 10,000 square meters, for its test track facility and parking,” she said in a letter sent to DoTC last year.

But clearance from the DoTC and UP is still needed before the LTO Diliman District Office is relocated and the proposed “Standard LTO Class ‘A’ Licensing Center” is constructed.

“Approval and completion of the intended relocation and upgraded facility would enhance not only the LTO but the UP as well,” Torres said.