LICENSE PLATES. Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Bicol Administrative Office Chief Noel Barbacena says on Thursday (Aug. 17, 2023) motorcycles and motor vehicle owners may now claim their license plates. The LTO has started the distribution of some 16,500 unclaimed and replaced licensed plates in the region. (PNA photo by Connie Calipay)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) started on Thursday the distribution of some 16,500 unclaimed and replaced licensed plates in the Bicol region.
In an interview, Noel Barbacena, LTO-Bicol administrative office chief, said the release is simultaneously done in the six provinces with designated distribution points.
"This activity started on Thursday and will be conducted until Aug. 24. The presence of LTO will be in different malls in the Bicol region," he said.
The LTO distribution points are as follows: SM Daet in Camarines Norte; Robinsons Naga in Camarines Sur; SM Legazpi and J & F Mall in Ligao City, both in Albay; SM Sorsogon City in Sorsogon province; Gaisano Mall in Masbate; and Virac Town Center (VTC) Mall in Catanduanes.
Barbacena said to claim the licensed plates, the owners must present their official receipt and certificate of registration, other proof of ownership, and an authorization letter in case another person will get the plate.
"We are asking the owners of motorcycles and motor vehicles to grab the opportunity to get their license plates. We are here in a mall to give you a comfortable, convenient way of transacting with us. Owners may also ask their vehicle dealers since many of them already get a huge number of licensed plates. Dealers also helped us in the distribution," he said.
Barbacena said LTO caters to a delivery program that gives the owners an easy way to receive their license plates.
"That's the mindset of LTO, hindi niyo nakuha yong plaka, nag spent na kayo ng time na pumunta sa LTO pero dahil sa walang available ng plaka kaya hindi niyo nakuha, so ngayon na available na, it's our way na kami na mismo ang maghatid (you didn't get the license plate, you spent time going to the LTO but because there was no license plate available, you didn't get it, so now that it's available, it's our way to deliver it ourselves)," he said.
He also said another batch of licensed plates is expected to arrive in the region.
The available license plates are for motorcycles bought in the years 2018; 2019; January-July 2020; Feb. 10-December 2021; January-May 28, 2023; June 1-30, 2023; and July 1-31, 2023.
For motor vehicles, the available plates are for those bought on Feb. 10-December 2021; January-December 2022; January-May 31, 2023; June 1-30, 2023; July 1-31, 2023 and Aug. 1-4, 2023.
He said the replacement plates are part of the implementation of the Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program. (PNA)
