LTO warns public against fixers anew

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has warned the public against the new scheme used by fixers.

According to the agency, fixers — looking to make money out of the ongoing distribution process — are now offering a hassle-free means of claiming license plates for a fee.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II revealed that his office has received 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 (They are told that in order for them to cut the queue, all they need to do is pay P200. I am telling our countrymen now that it is not true, we have prepared a system to ensure a proper and fast distribution process),” Mendoza commented.

“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 (and take note, it is free so I am asking our countrymen to immediately report to us who are those asking for money in exchange for a hassle-free means of claiming their license plates because I will ensure that these individuals will be penalized),” he added.

Per LTO, the distribution process has already started in some areas of 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 (Department of Transportation) 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 (This is the kind of public service that the Filipino people expect from us and this is also the instruction we received from our DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista — to hastily and properly distribute the license plates so that they can get the numberplates that they have already paid for,” said Mendoza.

The LTO said that its Chief has advised the public that the agency 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.

LTO added that its boss urged his regional directors and district office heads 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.

Photos from Land Transportation Office - Philippines Facebook page

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