Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II warned motorists who are yet to claim their license plates against unscrupulous people and groups that want to make money out of the distribution process. 

This early, Mendoza said he is already receiving reports that some people are already negotiating with LTO clients for a P200 fee as they have been claiming that the distribution process would mean long queues in all district offices and distribution sites.

 “Sinasabi ay para hindi na daw pumila ay magbayad na lang daw ng P200 para mabilis. I am telling our kababayan now na hindi po totoo yan, meron na po tayong mga inihandang sistema para maging maayos, at mabilis ang distribution process,” said Mendoza.

 “And take note, libre po ito kaya I am asking our kababayan to immediately report to us kung sino ang nanghihingi ng pera para makuha ang kanilang plaka dahil sisiguraduhin ko mismo na mapaparusahan ang mga taong ito,” he added.

 Mendoza said the distribution process has already started in some areas in the country, particularly in Bicol Region.

Both the LTO Sorsogon and Naga City in Camarines Sur also conducted a partial distribution of replacement plates on August 11.

 “This is the kind of public service that the Filipino people expect from us at ito naman ang mahigpit na tagubilin ng ating DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista—na mapabilis at maging maayos ang distribution ng mga plaka upang mapasakamay na ng ating mga kababayan ang mga plakang ito na matagal na nilang nabayaran,” said Mendoza.

 Mendoza advised motorists that the LTO will come up with an appointment system for a systematic and orderly distribution of unclaimed license plates, including in the malls that are being eyed as distribution sites.

 “And 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,” said Mendoza.  He also urged LTO regional directors and heads of District Offices to come up with the best ways to distribute the unclaimed license plates in the soonest possible time, or earlier than the 60-day deadline he imposed.