TO EXPEDITE the distribution of over 600,000 unclaimed license plates in Central Visayas, the Land Transportation Office (7) plans to implement various strategies, including stopping vehicles with temporary plates for inquiry.
In a press statement on Monday, Sept. 5, 2023, the LTO 7 said it is exploring different ways to accomplish the challenging task of distributing a stockpile of license plates, all the way back to 2018, to its owners.
These include the directive of LTO 7 Director Glen Galario to all the agency’s district and extension offices in the region to accommodate clients’ submission of documents required to claim their license plate.
Personnel from LTO 7 will secure the license plates and notify owners when and where to claim them.
Galario, earlier, tasked LTO 7 assistant regional director engr. Arturo Roque Apolinar to lead the distribution of the plates.
The LTO 7 said the operations division has started flagging down motor vehicles and motorcycles with temporary plates.
LTO 7 head of operations Division Aden Belza revealed that they have strictly implemented the flagging down of motor vehicles and motorcycles bearing temporary plates to gather information from these motorists and notify them once verified that their plates are already available for pickup.
Currently, the SM Seaside Plate Distribution Center remains open for walk-in clients, while the agency has started coordinating with the dealers to assist in the distribution of plate numbers.
Aden added that another project on the pipeline is the LTO 7’s partnership with different fleet operators, local government units clubs, and other organizations that can assist with the fast-tracking of license plate distribution.
Aside from deploying additional personnel at the storage facility in Talisay City, LTO 7 also requested additional scanners and computers needed to fast-track the distribution process.
Belza added that they are also planning to realign personnel functions to improve the efficiency of plate distribution.
“These personnel will help in terms of communication, such as online chat and messaging systems that will be manned by the different staff in the future,” said Belza.
Additional personnel will also be deployed on weekends to aid in data collection and dissemination for motor vehicles and motorcycles.
Belza also revealed that they are now in consultations if it is possible to post a downloadable master list via social media containing the file number with its plate number of physical plate availability for easy access to those who prefer to transact online.