LTO-Cordillera releases 8,000 motorcycle plates

By March L. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY -- After waiting for almost three years, the Land of Transportation Office-Cordillera Nov. 25 started distributing around 8,000 long-overdue plates to owners of motorcycles registered in 2018.
    LTO Cordillera director Francis Ray A. Almora, CESO VI said the 8,000 new and enhanced number plates were initially received by his office for distribution to the respective dealers and to the owners of motorcycles who waited for a long time.
    Almora said the delay in the distribution of number plates was due to the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court and Notice of Disallowance by the Commission on Audit in 2016, but were lifted in 2018.
    Distribution of plates was further delayed as the LTO waited for the final design of number plates in compliance with the requirement under RA 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime prevention Act of 2019.
    The new rear plates with reflectorized sheets are now bigger, more readable, color coded and safety features such as the RFID sticker and QR code were installed, while a decal sticker will be placed at the front. Pink is the color code for the new motorcycle plate in the Cordillera.
    LTO-CAR has a total backlog of 71,086 motorcycle plates dating back from 2016 to June 30, 2020. By next year, upon registration, new motorcycle plates will be released by LTO-CAR simultaneously with the issuance of the Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration of the motorcycle.