A CEBU City councilor called out the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO 7) for its unclear and inconsistent communication regarding the "No Plate, No Travel" policy, urging it to formulate efficient ways to distribute delayed plate numbers to vehicle owners.
In a privilege speech during Tuesday’s regular session, August 12, 2025, City Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. said the conflicting messages have caused significant inconvenience for motorists.
He demanded clarification on who is responsible for the ongoing delays in license plate delivery.
Alcover explained that the issue stems from contradictory reports from LTO 7.
On August 6, SunStar Cebu reported that the LTO would begin apprehending vehicles with temporary plates in the second week of August, with violators facing a P5,000 fine.
This prompted hundreds of motorcycle and habal-habal drivers, as well as other vehicle owners, to flock to various LTO offices in the province, particularly to the LTO’s MVIC Office in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
Alcover said many of these motorists missed work or canceled appointments.
“Apan ang mga plaka dili pa available sa buhatan sa LTO. Butang nga nakapalagot sa mga nanag-iya og mga sakyanan,” Alcover said.
(However, the plates are still not available at the LTO office, something that has angered vehicle owners.)
He added that subsequent news reports on August 7 and 8 caused more confusion, prompting the LTO Central Office to correct the initial announcement.
The new statements from LTO 7 said the deadline for the policy was canceled and that no apprehensions would be made at this time.
The agency’s most recent clarification said the policy’s implementation is pending instructions from LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza.
Alcover said the public deserved a clear answer.
He questioned whether the LTO or vehicle dealers were to blame for the delays.
To resolve the matter, Alcover moved to schedule an executive session. The meeting would include LTO 7 Regional Director Glen Galario, car and motorcycle dealers, and representatives of both the habal-habal drivers and the Max Scooter Club Philippines.
Alcover said the platform aims to bring all parties to the table to find a solution to the ongoing license plate problem. (EHP)