LTO Considers Using Malls as Distribution Centers for Unclaimed License Plates

MANILA: Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II is considering using malls as distribution centers for the unclaimed license plates in order to guarantee their prompt release in accordance with the directives of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista.

Mendoza suggested that the LTO use malls as part of the distribution system in order to avoid overburdening the agency's district offices.

He added that an appointment system may be implemented to ensure the efficient distribution and release of the unclaimed license plates.

Mendoza also mentioned that “mystery applicants” would be entrusted to verify information that some are allegedly manipulating the distribution process to make money.

He claimed to have been informed that there are people who are allegedly demanding P200 from vehicle owners in order to claim their license plates without having to fall in line.

“We will put mystery persons who will get their plates ‘no para malaman natin, ma-validate, at ma-monitor natin kung talagang pineperahan ‘yung taong ‘to o hindi (We will put mystery persons who will get their plates so that we can validate and monitor if this person is really being asked for money or not,” Mendoza stated.

Mendoza also proposes for the majority of transactions at the LTO to be handled online.

“We will have to shift some of our transactions from walk-in to online. Nandiyan ‘yung app eh, tumatakbo na ‘yan eh. Hindi lang natin nagagamit so within this year, I hope that we can shift the majority of our transactions to online appointments. Hindi ‘yung walk-in, walk-in lang ‘no (The app is there, it's running. We just can't use it so within this year, I hope that we can shift the majority of our transactions to online appointments instead of walk-in),” Mendoza added.

Photo from Land Transportation Office

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