Billions to fix the license plate backlog?

President Marcos Jr. designated Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire as OIC of the Department of Health (DOH). We know her as the DOH spokeswoman of the past administration. She was also DOH undersecretary at the time. I mentioned in an earlier article that she should be appointed secretary of the DOH to make a seamless transition. Dr. Vergeire is very capable of running the health department where she can continue dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the vaccination program initiated during President Duterte’s term. COVID-19 is still around, with cases in the country already rising to levels comparable to last year. I wonder why she was only appointed as OIC? Why not make her secretary at the get-go? What a wasted opportunity. It only proves Marcos is still considering other people at the DOH’s helm. Perhaps there are those who have his ear and their own recommendations.

According to the LTO, they need P6,800,000,000 to fix the backlog of license plates. That’s six billion eight hundred million pesos! LTO OIC Romeo Vera Cruz said the agency has no problem producing the plates as they have the machines and robots to do the work. All they need is money. The statement was immediately met with anger and criticism on social media. People were asking where the payment for new plates went. I also remember those with the old plates paid for replacement plates with a security code to standardize all plates. What happened to all those funds collected when they renewed their registration way back in 2014?

This has been an issue for the longest time. There was even a Senate hearing last year regarding the backlog of LTO. Several foreign suppliers were tapped to produce the plates because, at the time, the LTO did not have the machinery. They failed to deliver due to several reasons, one being the lack of funds and a Notice of Disallowance issued by COA. Now, the LTO is saying they need funds to fix the backlog? Wouldn’t that make you hot under the collar?

Vera Cruz added only Congress can provide the budget they are asking for. We have a new Congress. I don't know if they would fast-track funding for the plates or have another investigation as to why they need almost P7 billion to fix a perennial problem. I am surprised to see "personalized" plates on the road. With the right amount, I suppose one could easily have any alphanumeric combination made for their vehicle. Too bad we can’t have actual words or semblances of words on license plates, like in the US. I already have a few in mind to describe certain agencies.