LTO sets up priority lanes for registration of 24.7M delinquent motor vehicles

Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vigor D. Mendoza II has ordered all regional directors and heads of licensing offices to set up priority lanes for the registration of motor vehicles with expired registration for at least one year.

Mendoza said the order was part of the “Oplan Balik Rehistro, Be Road Ready” which is aimed at encouraging owners of 24.7 million delinquent motor vehicles to renew the registration. Delinquent motor vehicles represent 65 percent of all vehicles in the country.

“All owners who will be availing voluntary registration under this Oplan shall be given priority and all District/extension Offices shall designate a fast lane for this purpose,” said Mendoza in a memorandum he signed and disseminated to LTO officials.

The LTO is currently conducting aggressive law enforcement operations through the “No Registration, No Travel” policy wherein apprehended motor vehicles with expired licenses are sanctioned with stiff penalties that include ₱10,000 fine.

Hundreds of motor vehicles have already been impounded as a result of the nationwide operations.

“The penalties are high if the motor vehicle is apprehended. That is why we are reaching out to the delinquent motor vehicle owners in order for them to avoid these stiff penalties and this includes providing priority lanes for them in all our district and extension offices,” said Mendoza.

Aside from this program, Mendoza earlier ordered the conduct of “One Stop Shop/service Caravan/outreach Program” which is meant to bring the LTO offices, particularly the registration of delinquent motor vehicles, closer to the people.

“We are implementing programs to reach out to our clients so that they will be encouraged to register their motor vehicles. So I am appealing to all motor vehicle owners with expired registration to take advantage of these programs,” said Mendoza. (Aaron Recuenco)