Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, has directed all regional directors to complete the distribution of tricycle license plates, particularly for public transportation, by April 30, 2025.
This directive follows an inventory revealing that the supply of printed license plates is sufficient to cover all tricycles nationwide. The remaining challenge is ensuring timely delivery to rightful owners.
Mendoza expressed confidence in meeting the distribution deadline, citing significant improvements in the license plate printing process since last year.
“This is part of our catch-up plan to distribute license plates. We’ve worked hard to speed up the printing process, and now the focus is on distribution,” Mendoza said.
He also thanked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for its continued support in addressing the long-standing license plate backlog, which dates back to 2014.
Regional directors have been instructed to submit distribution plans by January 27, 2025. These plans will guide implementation, drawing lessons from past distribution efforts. Mendoza emphasized the importance of coordinating with local government units (LGUs), including barangay officials, to ensure the program’s success.
“LGUs have always been crucial partners in the distribution process. With proper coordination, we can replicate successful models like that of Quezon City,” Mendoza noted.
In Quezon City, collaboration between the LTO, LGU, and Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODA) eliminated the license plate backlog and reduced the prevalence of colorum tricycles. TODA officials reported improved daily earnings as a result.
The LTO aims to replicate this success across the country. Mendoza stressed that legitimate license plates are vital for addressing issues with unregistered tricycles, ensuring fair competition, and improving the livelihoods of legitimate operators.
This initiative is part of the LTO’s broader effort to eliminate the license plate backlog for motorcycles by July 2025. Backlogs for four-wheel vehicle plates were resolved as early as January last year.