Iloilo city: The Land Transportation Office in Western Visayas (LTO-6) is calling on motorists who have been issued plates to affix them to avoid penalties. 'The plate is a basic requirement and a condition for registration renewal,' LTO-6 Regional Director lawyer Gaudioso Geduspan II stated during their regular flag-raising ceremony on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Geduspan mentioned that despite their efforts, district chiefs reported low registration renewal rates. Only one owner for every 10 unregistered motorcycles that have been issued plates has completed the registration process. LTO-6 has even delivered motor plates to remote areas, but many recipients still fail or refuse to affix them. Geduspan urged motorists to attach the plates, emphasizing the agency's role in expediting the release of plates.

Data from the LTO-6 New Registration Unit indicated that more than 70,000 motor plates have been released across the region since the agency intensified its campaign to expedite the release of license plates in April this year. Geduspan reiterated national instructions from LTO chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, that plates must be installed as soon as they are received.

LTO-6 Assistant Regional Director Jeck Conlu has led teams to visit motorcycle dealers to ensure plates are fitted on vehicles, and district offices have been active in plate distribution drives. Failure to attach a license plate carries a penalty of PHP5,000.