Gov’t to re-impose ‘no plate, no travel’ policy
MANILA, Philippines –The government will re-impose its “no plate, no travel” policy once the backlogs on license plates for motor vehicles and motorcycles have been addressed with the release of new plates next month, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya told a Senate hearing on Tuesday.
“We did admit that we had backlog so we loosen up the policy on no plate , no travel. I think that it’s still in effect because it would be irresponsible on our part to put back that policy when we (still have) backlogs,” Abaya said, responding to queries of Senate Pro Tempore Ralph Recto during hearing of the Senate committee on public services.
“And now we intend to re-impose that when we honestly could say that there is no more backlog as a responsible public servant.”
“However, our citizens are likewise enjoying the privilege of a very loose policy. So probably, instead of checking with their dealer again, spend some gas (to ask if their plates already available), they just enjoy the very loose policy,” Abaya added.
Transportation Undersecretary Alfonso Tan explained that the government experienced “severe backlogs” in 2011 until the regular delivery of license plates started in October, 2012.
But Abaya expects to completely address the backlogs when the supplier complies strictly with its commitment to deliver the plates within 45 days.
“As of right now, we have supplied for all the four-wheel vehicles registered as of February, 7 2014… It means, your honor, there’s sufficient supply to cover the registration of February 7…” he said.
But Recto cut him, saying, “ I know of many who bought vehicles July of 2013 hanggang ngayon walang plaka pa. Mas madaling gumawa ng isang low cost na bahay kaysa kumuha ng isang plaka sa LTO (Land Transportation Office).”
(I know of many who bought vehicles July of 2013, until now, they have no plates. It’s easier to build a low-cost house than get a license plate at the LTO)
Abaya conceded, saying it was one of the problems that his department was trying to address.
Under the law, he said, a newly purchased vehicle should be registered within five days.
“Unfortunately, some dealers are not yet ready to have the vehicles registered…It takes them two to three months to have the vehicles actually registered,” Abaya said.
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