• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said that its Bacolod City District Office distributed 184 tricycle operators and drivers’ association (TODA) plates at Talisay City Hall April 29.
The distribution, led by LTO Bacolod District Office chief Renato Novero and supply officer Jaylene Cordero, is part of ongoing efforts “to enhance road safety, improve registration compliance, and provide better service to local TODAs.”
LTO chief, Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, had stressed the importance of tricycles operating with legitimate license plates as one solution to the perennial problem of colorum units in towns and cities.
“With the help of local government units (LGU), we will not only address the backlog but also the problem on colorum tricycles,” Mendoza said in a statement.
LTO6 director, Atty. Gaudioso Geduspan II, earlier called on LGUs in Western Visayas, including Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, to submit the Official Receipts (ORs) and Certificates of Registration (CRs) of their TODA members for proper plate assignments and payment adjustments.
As per the Local Government Code, an LGU has the power to regulate the operations of tricycles or pedicabs within their territorial jurisdiction, subject to guidelines from the Department of Transportation.
LTO6 started the distribution of motorcycle plates this month.
Geduspan reminded tricycle drivers to ensure that they have the correct restriction code on their driver’s licenses to avoid fines and penalties, adding that unregistered vehicles can incur fines of more than P12,000.
“If you are driving a tricycle, you must have an additional restriction code A1, as this permits you to operate a tricycle. Without this, your driver’s license may be suspended for one year,” he had explained.
Meanwhile, the newly-launched LTOTracker provides access for clients to track the status of their driver’s licenses and motor vehicle plates in real time and even have them delivered via an accredited courier service provider, the LTO said.
“This is a historic move toward full digitalization and a game-changing innovation that will bring LTO services closer than ever to Filipinos, right at their fingertips,” DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said in a statement, adding the LTOTracker will do away with the traditional long lines and endless waiting.
Motor vehicle owners can log on to www.ltotracker.com to inquire about their plate status, update delivery details, and pre-book their plates for delivery.
The LTO said it has accredited nine courier service providers to handle plate deliveries nationwide as fast as possible, even to the most remote areas of the country. | CGC
