The Land Transportation Office in Western Visayas (LTO-6) is stepping up efforts to address its massive backlog of unclaimed motorcycle plates through a street-level campaign called “Oplan: Stop, Plate and Go.”
On Tuesday, the second day of the rollout, LTO-6 released 32 motorcycle plates at Jaro Plaza in Iloilo City. The campaign’s unique approach involves bringing plates directly to the streets, where officers flag down motorcycle riders—not to penalize them—but to hand over their long-awaited registration plates.
LTO-6 Assistant Regional Director Jeck Conlu, who led the activity alongside the Regional Law Enforcement Section 6 (RLES), said the backlog problem lies not in production but in distribution.
“All motorcycle plates registered from 2014 until 2022 have been printed,” Conlu explained. “The challenge is getting them into the hands of their rightful owners.”
For Tuesday’s operation, the LTO brought 80 plates for distribution, covering the plaza and nearby strategic points. Riders without their plates were also assisted in tracking pending orders through the agency’s digital system.
The numbers reveal the scale of the task: Region 6 still has over 300,000 plates in backlog since 2014. To date, 28,000 plates have already been released.
Before launching Oplan: Stop, Plate and Go, the LTO had been conducting plate distribution for nearly two months. The campaign adds a proactive twist—taking the plates directly to where the riders are.
The program is not confined to occasional events. Plate releasing continues daily in LTO-6’s 21 district offices, and Conlu said the agency plans to bring the service closer to communities.
“Patrol units—each stocked with ready-to-issue plates—will continue to furnish riders on the spot and assist in tracking unissued plates via the LTO’s digital system,” he said.
This intensified effort supports the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to clear the backlog of unclaimed plates nationwide. The initiative is also seen as a way to improve road compliance and enforcement, as registered motorcycles with plates are easier to identify in traffic operations.
Motorists in the region are encouraged to check their plate status through the LTO’s online platforms or visit the nearest district office. Conlu assured that more street-level activities will be conducted in the coming weeks to reach as many riders as possible. “We are bringing the plates to the people,” Conlu said. “The goal is to finally close the chapter on this backlog and make sure every motorcycle owner has their official plate.”