By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Francis Tolentino told the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to stop apprehending motorcycle riders with temporary plates, saying that the LTO should instead fix their backlog first.
“Give motorcycle riders and motorists a break! Do not penalize them for using non-compliant temporary and improvised license plates. It’s not their fault if the government cannot produce enough official plates – which is the responsibility of the LTO itself,” the Senate Majority Leader said.
“I do not see the sense in apprehending and fining riders and motorists for using temporary plates that do not comply with the LTO’s directive. The LTO must first resolve its own backlog in issuing official license plates,” the senator explained.
According to Tolentino, the LTO reported to the Senate that its backlog in issuing official license plates amounted to 12,548,909 as of February this year.
The senator appealed to the LTO to “give motorcycle riders a breather,” and to just wait for the President’s signing of the measure he sponsored, Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2555.
The bill seeks to amend the controversial provisions of Republic Act (RA) 11235, or the Doble Plaka Law, which discriminate against motorcycle riders and owners.
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