Councilor in Cebu criticizes Land Transportation Office over confusion regarding vehicle plate registration.
Delays and Confusion Surrounding Cebu's "No Plate, No Travel" Policy
A persistent issue in Cebu City is the delays in the distribution of license plates and the inconsistent communication about the "No Plate, No Travel" policy, causing significant inconvenience for motorists and confusion among local officials.
City Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover Jr. has called out the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO 7) for unclear and contradictory instructions regarding the policy. Alcover stated that the license plates are not available at LTO offices, prompting hundreds of motorcycle and habal-habal drivers, as well as other vehicle owners, to flock to various LTO offices in the province, particularly to the LTO's MVIC Office in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
The root of the problem, according to Alcover, stems from conflicting reports from LTO 7. On August 6, Cebu reported that the LTO would begin apprehending vehicles with temporary plates in the second week of August. However, no new information about potential fines for violating the policy was provided. This prompted Alcover to question whether the LTO or vehicle dealers were to blame for the delays.
LTO 7 Director Glen Galario explained that many plates remain unclaimed due to factors such as lack of owner awareness, incomplete documentation, and difficulty connecting with original registrants or operators, especially among tricycle drivers. Galario clarified that there is no backlog in plate production itself.
In response to the ongoing issue, Alcover moved to schedule an executive session to address the inefficiencies and inconsistent policy enforcement. The meeting would include LTO 7 Regional Director Glen Galario, car and motorcycle dealers, and representatives of both the habal-habal drivers and the Max Scooter Club Philippines.
The LTO Central Office also corrected the initial announcement about the "No Plate, No Travel" policy, stating that the policy's implementation is pending instructions from LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza. The agency's most recent clarification said the policy's implementation is on hold, with no apprehensions being made at this time.
Alcover emphasised that the responsibility for the delays lies with LTO 7’s management of plate distribution and communication. The Cebu City Council is actively seeking clarification from LTO 7 chief Glen Galario to find a solution to the ongoing license plate problem and ensure clear, consistent communication with the public.
[1] GMA News Online. (2021, August 10). LTO 7 to hold meeting over delayed license plates in Cebu. Retrieved from https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/regional/visayas/784860/lto-7-to-hold-meeting-over-delayed-license-plates-in-cebu/story/
[2] SunStar Cebu. (2021, August 11). LTO 7 cancels deadline for 'No Plate, No Travel' policy implementation. Retrieved from https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1904867
[3] Cebu Daily News. (2021, August 10). LTO 7 unclear, inconsistent on 'No Plate, No Travel' policy. Retrieved from https://www.cebudailynews.inquirer.net/355827/lto-7-unclear-inconsistent-on-no-plate-no-travel-policy
[4] SunStar Cebu. (2021, August 11). LTO 7: Many plates unclaimed due to factors such as lack of owner awareness. Retrieved from https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1904868
[5] Cebu Daily News. (2021, August 11). LTO 7 cancels deadline for 'No Plate, No Travel' policy implementation. Retrieved from https://www.cebudailynews.inquirer.net/355831/lto-7-cancels-deadline-for-no-plate-no-travel-policy-implementation
