BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
After nearly a decade of delays, the Land Transportation Office in Western Visayas (LTO-6) is fast-tracking the distribution of thousands of long-overdue motorcycle license plates, particularly those registered between 2014 and 2017.
The distribution will tentatively start in April of this year.
LTO-6 will implement a streamlined claiming process to facilitate a smoother distribution.
Motorcycle owners with initial registrations from 2014 to 2017 are urged to check with their dealers or visit the LTO-6 office to claim their plates.
Claimants must bring a photocopy of their motorcycle’s official receipt and certificate of registration.
Authorized representatives are also required to present an authorization letter.
Beyond ensuring compliance, LTO-6 Regional Director Gaudioso Geduspan emphasized the security implications of the initiative.
Proper registration and plate issuance help law enforcement track and identify motorcycles involved in criminal activities, particularly incidents linked to “riding-in-tandem” crimes.
“The proper registration of motorcycles is not just a bureaucratic process — it’s a public safety measure,” Geduspan said.
“By ensuring that all motorcycles have proper plates, we make it easier to identify and apprehend those who use them for unlawful purposes,” he added.
With full implementation expected by June, LTO-6 is committed to ensuring all registered motorcycles receive their long-awaited plates.
“This is more than just a distribution drive — it’s a commitment to better road safety, efficient public service, and improved law enforcement,” Geduspan said.
For thousands of motorcycle owners, this initiative marks the long-overdue resolution of a problem that has lingered for years, bringing the region closer to a fully documented and regulated transportation system.
The distribution of backlog plates aims to resolve a persistent issue that has left many motorcycle owners without their official plates.
The backlog traces back to procurement and production challenges that began in 2014, leaving millions of motorcycle plates undelivered nationwide.
The plate distribution initiative is further supported by a P1 billion investment in new laser engravers, which will improve efficiency and address previous delays caused by machine malfunctions.
Geduspan assured the public that plate availability is no longer an issue, and regional offices have been equipped to manage the increased volume of distributions.
With the national government prioritizing the resolution of this issue, LTO has been working to ramp up production and distribution efforts.
LTO Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II acknowledged the delays, but assured the public that the agency is now in a stronger position to complete the backlog clearance./MTL, WDJ