LTO to address motorcycle license plate backlog this year
When Vince Dizon assumed his post as the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) just a few weeks ago, he commented that if it was up to him, he would just have the Land Transportation Office (LTO) refund the money paid by motorists affected by the license plate backlog that has been going on since 2014.
During DOTr’s press briefing last February 25, Sec. Dizon said that he wants the LTO to resolve the decade-long backlog issue on motorcycle license plates, and wants the agency currently headed by Asec. Atty. Vigor Mendoza II to deliver the license plates of brand-new motorcycles and vehicles within 72 hours of purchase.
Now, the LTO announced that it vows to resolve this backlog issue within 2025.
“Land Transportation Office Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II assured the public that the problem on the license plate backlog that hounded millions of its clients since 2014 will be addressed this year,” said the agency through a statement.
Asec. Mendoza, for his part, has expressed gratitude to Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, who made a commitment of a strong support system to the LTO in response to the challenge of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. to make life easier for millions of Filipino motorists.
“Since Day One of his assumption in the top DOTr post, we have been in constant coordination with Secretary Dizon in presenting all the challenges and solutions on all the challenges that we are facing now,” said Asec Mendoza.
The LTO has earlier proposed a “plate out of the showroom” scheme, meaning motorcycles, and even motor vehicles, will already have a license plate before leaving the showroom floor. The LTO is currently coordinating with stakeholders, including dealers and manufacturers, for a possible dry run within the next few weeks.
“It’s already 2025, we have good technology so there is no more reason for delay [of license plates]. We will focus more on the basic services of the LTO to the people,” said Sec. Dizon.
“And Asec Vigor has taken up the challenge and will work towards that finally within the term of President [BBM], we will say good bye to all the problems of the past and we will move forward with better services. But we have to start with the basics,” added Sec. Dizon.
