Due to Administrative issues, new license plate program deferred

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office deferred yesterday the implementation of the license plate standardi-zation program, which is supposed to take effect today, for new registration of four wheeled vehicles.

LTO-7 director Raul Aguilos said he received an order yesterday through a text message that the implementation has been deferred until all administrative issues are settled.

Aguilos said an official copy of the order will be send today.

“In light of the impending administrative issues, the LTO is constrained to suspend the implementation of its MV plates program until the resolution of said issues,” Aguilos said.

He said despite the suspension, LTO will still use the additional protocols set by the Management Information Division for newly registered motor vehicles.

The program aimed to stop the proliferation of tampered license plates.

According to the Department of Transportation and Communication, modern license plates contained some advanced security features and a new alphanumeric design.

The DOTC said this will prevent tampering, theft, falsification of license plates, among others.

The DOTC said that the private vehicle plates will also come in a black-and-white design, with a look similar to those in more advanced countries.

The latest security features have laser-etched bar codes containing selective data inputs, which will allow data verification with the LTO.

Security features also include reflective sheeting material, which will allow license plate visibility even from wide-entrance angle.

The government allocated P3.85 billion for 5.236 million new motor vehicle license plates and 9.968 million new motorcycle plates nationwide. — /LPM (FREEMAN)