Quezon city: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will distribute plates for motorcycles in Quezon City on Friday as part of the government’s efforts in accelerating the distribution of license plates nationwide. In a statement on Thursday, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II stated that the plate distribution will be held at the 5th floor parking area of the SM City North EDSA from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Motorcycle owners assigned with seven-character license plates and had their motorcycles registered in 2017 or earlier are qualified to avail of the services offered by the activity.

According to Philippines News Agency, the event was planned in partnership with the Quezon City government, led by Mayor Joy Belmonte, and SM management through LTO-National Capital Region Director Roque Verzosa III. The distribution activity followed the recent completion of the LTO’s backlog on license plates for motorcycles, a problem that started in 2014, and a backlog of over 12 million plates.

LTO personnel have set up desks for the ‘Palit-Plaka (plate replacement)’ program to provide replacement plates for old ones. In addition, Mendoza ordered all LTO regional directors and district heads to coordinate with local government units, motorcycle rider groups, and tricycle operators and drivers associations (TODAs) in their respective areas for plate distribution.

‘I also instructed all the Regional Directors beforehand to come up with the best ways to reach out to the motorcycle owners to claim their license plates. And I am elated that they came up with their programs in doing so,’ Mendoza said.