LTO says license plate backlog 'wiped out'

MANILA, July 16 ------ The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said it had "wiped out" the backlog in license plates, which hounded the government for a decade. In a statement, the LTO said that it produced 18,578,612 plates since ramping up production in the last two years, effectively solving the backlog that had been piling up since 2014.

These include some 11.8 million motorcycle plates and 6.7 million plates are for four-wheeled vehicles. “We are elated and excited to announce that your LTO was able to comply with the commitment to President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' R. Marcos, Jr. that there will be no backlog for both motorcycle and four-wheel vehicles plates by June 2025,” LTO acting Assistant Secretary Atty. Greg Pua said. He said this was a result of dedication, perseverance, and teamwork with the agency's plate making plant. “And with this task finally completed, we assure our millions of clients that we will also fast-track the process of delivery and will continue to find ways to do so,” Pua added.

The license plate backlog issue began in 2014. In December last year, the Commission on Audit flagged the LTO for a "huge accumulated balance of 9,115,374 pieces of motorcycle plate backlogs for (calendar year) 2023 and prior years." Shortly after assuming office earlier this year, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon urged the LTO to release plates for new vehicles within 72 hours.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com