LTO chief Mendoza: Up to 20% of PUJs in Metro Manila are unregistered

FILE PHOTO: In this 2017 photo, traditional jeepneys ply along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City. Philippine Daily Inquirer/ Richard A. Reyes

MANILA, Philippines — Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vigor Mendoza II disclosed Wednesday that around 15 to 20 percent of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in Metro Manila are unregistered.

“So now if you go to the LTO compound, many jeeps are impounded partly because they are unregistered,” Mendoza explained in a mix of Filipino and English during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

Hence, according to the LTO chief, they are eyeing motor vehicle inspections in jeepney terminals and garages to ascertain further the number of unregistered PUJs in the capital region.

“Then, for the registration, we will teach them online registration,” Mendoza said.

The initial data of 15 to 20 percent is part of the 24.7 million unregistered motor vehicles in the country today, according to the LTO head.

READ: LTO: Over 24M vehicles unregistered in PH, some belong to gov’t agencies

As of 2022, only 14 million motor vehicles nationwide have been registered with the LTO, he added.

Mendoza stressed that they need to validate if all of the 24.7 million were unregistered as a portion of the total may already be “scrapped” or out for good.

Motorcycles account for 70 percent of the 24.7 million unregistered vehicles nationwide, Mendoza noted.

“The remaining 30 percent is divided into sedan-type vehicles, buses, trucks, and SUVs,” he added.

READ: LTO alarmed: 65% of vehicles ‘delinquent’

In an earlier statement, Mendoza said the LTO is eyeing to conduct a caravan for motor vehicle registration to come up with a complete list of motor vehicles utilized in the country.

The LTO planned the caravan to intensify the implementation of the “No Registration, No Travel” policy nationwide. So far, its stepped-up drive against unregistered vehicles has netted hundreds of cars, trucks, and buses.