LTO-7 Scrambles to Distribute 600,000 Plates Amid Flagging Down Operations

Land Transportation Office Central Visayas (LTO-7) admits that it will not be able to meet the October 4 deadline set by the head office for them to completely distribute the over 600,000 unclaimed licensed plates to their owners.

“By October dapat ma dispose na ang 600,000 plus but that is kind of impossible na siya but we will see. Ang akong commitment is that by the end of the two-month period, there should be a dramatic drop in the number of plates in our warehouse,” said LTO-7 director Glen Galario.

Last August 4, LTO chief Vigor Mendoza asked LTO-7 to distribute the plates within a two-month period. LTO-7 has been named as having the biggest backlog in the distribution compared to other regions.

For one, Galario said that there is still a lack of information dissemination for car owners that their plates are already available.

The LTO-7 only has one scanner or bar code ready and computer which can only accommodate 50 plates per day. Before distribution, the plates needed to be scanned for uploading to the central data system via the Internet.

Galario said that they have already requested from the Central Office the additional 5 units of “scanners” and computers and are hopeful that these will be given to them the soon time possible.

Galario has tasked the newly installed LTO 7 assistant regional director Engr. Arturo Roque Apolinar to lead the distribution of the vehicle plates.

“The regional director also tasked all its different districts and extension offices in Central Visayas to accept the necessary documents needed to claim the licensed plates wherein their personnel will take care of securing the licensed plates should they be available.”

“Once available, registered owners will be notified where and when to claim the said plates,” a separate statement from LTO-7 reads.

In order to push for the claiming of plates, the LTO 7 is now flagging down motor vehicles and motorcycles with temporary plates.

LTO 7 Head of Operations Division Aden Belza revealed that they have strictly implemented the flagging down of motor vehicles and motorcycles bearing temporary plates to gather information from these motorists and notify them once verified that their plates are already available for pickup.

Currently, the SM Seaside Plate Distribution Center remains open for walk-in clients while the agency has started coordinating with the dealers to assist in the distribution of plate numbers.

Aden added that it is now planning to partner with different fleet operators, local government units, clubs, and other organizations that can assist with the fast-tracking of the distribution of licensed plates.