Weekly fee because of undelivered license plate?

A reader complained about how government seems to have neglected our roads noting the many potholes that he passes from home to work and back.

Aside from him, several others have also asked about the status of H. Abellana St. in Mandaue City, which is in such a terrible state for a road that is used by many motorists all day long.

One even commented about the billboards that he saw on the road but then apart from the bill boards, “all we see is the poor road condition.”

The question of many is, “Are our roads going to be repaired anytime soon because of the coming elections?”

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A reader sent us email complaining about the collection of fees to renew the temporary permit for a motorcycle to be operated on the road because the plate number is not yet available at LTO.

This is the email from Jerry Sires of J. Llorente St.:

I have a comment about the unnecessary method used to collect additional fees from purchasers of motor vehicles. I purchased a new motorcycle for cash and how have to pay a weekly fee of P319 until the LTO decides to send the dealer my license plate.

This appears to be a rip off to me. And don't think you can use your new motorcycle without paying the "fine" is what I call it because the fact that you have a plate that reads "For Registration" on your new motorcycle gives every cop (CITOM I think they are called) a reason to stop you to check your papers. That alone is implying you are guilty of using your vehicle until you prove you are innocent which I consider disrespectful to the owner. 

I have been checked three times in two weeks and was never doing anything wrong to justify being stopped. I resent being inconvenienced because the cop just wanted to see if I have the proper papers. In my eyes I have legally purchased a vehicle, LTO registration fees and insurance is paid and I should be entitled to ride my motorcycle without paying this additional weekly fee or without being constantly harassed because I have a new bike. What a crock this is, but an accepted practice in the Philippines.

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We do know of the problem of LTO in the releasing of plates, but for motorcycle owners to pay a weekly sum because the agency can’t deliver smells very fishy.

We’re asking our friends from LTO, if we still have any (hehehe), to please enlighten us on this matter.

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Not all emails that we get are about the negative. Here is one from our regular correspondent Jesson Morata:

I laud the Mandaue City Police Office for frequently conducting random checkpoints in the major and minor thoroughfares of Mandaue City. Conducting such checkpoints especially during evening and even the wee hours of the morning is an effective way to curb crime and as well as go after drivers without licenses and motorcycles without registrations.

It might have bought inconveniences to motorists, but we should look at the good side of conducting such. I frequently come across these checkpoints and I acclaim them for their courtesy. Kudos to the Mandaue City Police Office!

While in Cebu City, I also laud the efforts of the Task Force Motorsiklo in conducting random checkpoints in the city which is also geared to discipline erring drivers especially those using motorcycles.

On the other hand, are armored vans exempted from traffic laws? I observed that some drivers of armored vans take no notice of basic traffic signs.

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For your comments, complaints and suggestion please feel free to contact us at 2531276 or 2538613 local 237.

You can also send email to [email protected].