THE tricycle drivers and operators association appealed to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to distribute the plates through motorcycle dealers.
This follows the agency’s scheduled crackdown in July on tricycles with temporary plates. The group argues that the process will be more complicated if the LTO distributes the plates to barangays.
Freddy has been a tricycle driver in Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City, for over five years.
He only earns P600 a day from driving – an amount reduced further by payments for the tricycle’s boundary or rental, food, and other household expenses.
He is worried about the LTO’s plan to start cracking down on tricycle drivers and operators with temporary plates in July.
The LTO’s first target is Quezon City, but Freddy fears it may extend to other cities in Metro Manila.
“That’s what will happen to us drivers when the crackdown comes. We already earn little, and then with the plate issue not being resolved, it’s a big inconvenience for us,” according to Freddy, tricycle driver.
Jords has also been driving a tricycle with a temporary plate for several years.
Hence, he appeals to the LTO.
“The plates should be complete; they should be given out so we won’t be caught,” Jords, tricycle driver said.
The National Confederation of Tricycle and Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (NACTODAP) also disagrees with the LTO’s planned action.
According to Ariel Lim, the group’s President, the lack of plate numbers for tricycles is the government’s fault.
“As I said, it’s their fault that we have no plates because of the LTO. So, for me, before they start cracking down, they should ensure that all the plates are available,” Ariel Lim, President, NACTODAP stated.
In Quezon City alone, there are reportedly 30,000 to 40,000 tricycles without plates due to the LTO’s supply shortage.
Lim believes that the LTO should coordinate with tricycle dealers and have them distribute the plates.
It’s entirely wrong to distribute them through barangays, which have no idea who the drivers with temporary plates are.
“Motorcycle dealers are more aware of their customers who until now still do not have plates due to issues with plate issuance, especially for tricycles,” Lim added.
NACTODAP President is also questioned the LTO’s statement that tricycles caught in July would be considered illegal or “colorum.”
Lim argues that tricycles with several years left on their franchise can’t be colorum.
However, the LTO insists that they are ready to start the crackdown on the first of July.
They claimed to have resolved a backlog of 3,000 license plates in Quezon City last month following a ceremonial distribution to Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Associations (TODAs) in the said City.
The agency’s action is in compliance with the directive of Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.
The LTO urges car dealers not to delay and distribute the plates to their clients.
“We appeal to car dealerships to distribute the plates to their clients as soon as possible because there is no longer a backlog of plates for four-wheel vehicles,” according to Asec. Vigor Mendoza, Chief, LTO.
The LTO also aims to implement the ‘No Plate, No Travel’ policy nationwide.
“What is certain is that the ‘No Plate, No Travel’ policy will be implemented soon. Let’s not allow this to catch up with us because there are penalties for violators,” Mendoza added.
