Address motorcycle license plate backlogs, prioritize rear plates – JV Ejercito
February 14, 2023
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Tuesday
urged the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to prioritize the production of rear
plates in addressing the agency’s worsening license plate backlogs.
The LTO’s license plate backlogs have reached
around 14.1 million plates, according to the agency’s latest report.
“Importante na ma-address agad ang mga backlog
na ito. Left unchecked, this will have implications on public safety.
I-prioritize muna ng LTO ang paggawa ng rear plates,” he said after conducting
an ocular at the LTO Main Office in Quezon City.
In October, LTO officials said the agency
hopes to address 90 percent of the said backlog by December 2023. Around 60 to
70 percent of the license plate backlog will be shouldered by the agency’s
plate making plant, while the remainder will be manufactured through
outsourcing.
At the time, the agency’s license plate
backlogs were pegged at 11.5 million plates.
More popularly known as the “Doble Plaka Law,”
Republic Act No. 11235 requires motorists to install large license plates in
front of their motorcycles to make it easier for law enforcers to identify
suspects of motorcycle-related crimes.
Shortly after his return to the Senate,
Ejercito filed Senate Bill No. 159, seeking to amend the said law.
Ejercito’s bill aims to replace the mandatory
installation of large license plates with the creation of a radio-frequency
identification (RFID) scanner system for motorists.
The measure also hopes to reduce the penalties
stated in RA 11235 and align them with the penalties imposed on four-wheeled
vehicles.
