It’s one idea after another regarding the LTO and the addressing of license plate backlogs. The latest of which is the possibility of the agency tapping shopping malls to serve as distribution centers for the unclaimed plates. Following the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) directive to ensure a fast release of the plates, the Land Transportation Office announced its plan yesterday.
Tapping malls can ease the LTO’s plate distribution system
Photo: Land Transportation Office
In his statement, LTO Chief ASec. Vigor Mendoza II believes that having malls help in the distribution system can help the agency’s district offices not be overwhelmed with what will inevitably be a gargantuan number of plate owners looking to get their plates.
‘We are now looking at the distribution system, kausap natin ‘yung mga dealers, and malls na pwede rin silang point of distribution [we are talking with dealers and malls that can be points of distribution] not necessarily our own district offices kasi baka ma-overwhelm eh [because they might get overwhelmed],” Mendoza said.
As far as a system goes, an appointment scheme could be enforced to ensure smooth distribution and release of the unclaimed licensed plates.
“Then we will also start the appointment system. Para ‘yung mga taong gustong kumuha ng plaka ay kailangang mag-appointment pagdating nila doon,” he later added.
Photo: Land Transportation Office
The LTO is at work to address all the problems that have been hounding it for years on end – licenses and plates included, as well as red tape – and the agency has also received reports that some individuals are asking for money to aid motor vehicle owners in possibly simplifying the claiming of their plates. For PHP 200, these individuals can get motorists’ plates without them having to get in line.
After this allegation, the LTO will be deploying “mystery applicants” who are tasked to verify this information. “And we will put mystery persons who will get their plates no para malaman natin, ma-validate at ma-monitor natin kung talagang pineperahan yung taong ‘to o hindi,” explained Mendoza on his plans to address this illegality.
Photo: Land Transportation Office
Another means to address problems such as these is the LTO’s aim to have the majority of their transactions be done online to provide a more efficient and effective service to the public. “We will have to shift some of our transactions from walk-in to online. Nandiyan ‘yung app eh, tumatakbo na ‘yan eh, hindi lang natin nagagamit [The app is there, it already works, it’s just not being utilized] so within this year I hope that we can shift the majority of our transactions to online appointments. Hindi ‘yung walk-in, walk-in lang ‘no [No more walk-ins],” the LTO chief said.
Let’s hope all the details and possible kinks in this plan are all worked out. The LTO needs all the help that it can get, and motorists need their plates even more, especially since they’re already paid for, and the wait time has clearly been unnecessary. And in case you’re wondering if your plate set is already available 16, you can go and confirm that here 22.
Good luck, Land Transportation Office!
