Amidst Backlash, LTO Open to Motorcycle Plate Design Ideas

After a barrage of negative reactions from the public, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) expressed its willingness to accept suggestions regarding the design of the proposed license plates, which are required by a new law to be visible at a distance of 15 meters.

The new law, aka Republic Act 11235 or ‘Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act,’ mandates the LTO to produce easily visible license plates color-coded by region for easier identification. The law was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last March 8.

LTO said that it will consider suggestions that follow the guidelines of the new law.

"Kung may suggestions sila na hindi naman lumalabag doon sa kautusan ng batas, ia-accept naman namin yun," LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante said in an interview.

The new law was greeted by protest from various motorcycle groups, but Galvante assured these groups that the law doesn’t state an exact size for the plates, and thus their fears that the plates will be oversized are unfounded. Galvante said that they are now testing samples for the new design of the plates.

"Walang binigay na guide dito, walang binigay na sukat. Kaya kami ang magde-determine ng sukat. Actually, kagabi sinubukan na namin. Mayroon kaming mga samples na kung gaano kalaki at sinubukan namin kung hanggang saan ito mababasa," Galvante revealed.

Galvante also said that they are ensuring the readability of the plates at night, as well as its safety for the bikers.

"Dahil iniutos ito ng batas, responsibility rin ng may-ari ng motor na bago niya ilabas ang motor, titingnan niya kung gaano ka-secure 'yung attachment ng kanyang plaka. Ico-consider rin natin kung paano matanggal ang risk na yun," Galvante said.