The Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 in Central Visayas has rolled out a new roadside information campaign, targeting vehicles still using temporary plates to educate motorists on how to claim their permanent license plates. This initiative, dubbed the "Friendly Flag-Down" program, is part of a broader, intensified effort by the agency to address the growing backlog of unclaimed plates in the region.
Roadside Inspections and Driver Guidance
In an advisory, LTO-7 Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Francisco "Franz" Ranches Jr. announced that personnel will conduct roadside inspections, approaching drivers with temporary plates to provide guidance on where and how to retrieve their permanent plates. Under this program, LTO staff will flag down cars and motorcycles using temporary plates and notify owners if their permanent plates are ready for pickup.
Motorists will be directed to claim their plates at the Visayas Courier Hub in Talisay City or at the nearest LTO office in Central Visayas. According to Ranches, the goal is to accelerate the release of license plates that have been pending since 2017 or earlier, streamlining a process that has faced significant delays.
Backlog Statistics and Regional Targets
Data from LTO 7 reveals a substantial backlog in the region. Out of 487,624 motor vehicle plates backlogged in Central Visayas, only 167,352 had been claimed as of February 27, 2026. This means the agency has released just 34.32 percent of the total backlog, highlighting the urgency of the campaign.
In response, Ranches has mandated all district offices in the region to ramp up efforts to encourage plate owners to collect their plates. The target is to release at least 50 percent of the backlog by June 2026, a challenging but critical objective to improve vehicle registration efficiency.
Specific Guidelines for Plate Claims
To assist motorists, LTO 7 has issued clear guidelines based on plate characteristics. For plates issued in 2017 or earlier with 7 characters, owners should visit the nearest LTO office to claim or replace them with the new black-and-white format. Plates with 6 characters can be collected at the Visayas Courier Hub or any LTO office in Region 7.
For replacement plates for for-hire and private vehicles ending in numbers 1 through 6, verification can be done at the Visayas Courier Hub or any LTO office. Additionally, replacement plates paid for in 2015 can be claimed at the office where payment was made or at any LTO office, ensuring flexibility for owners.
Enhanced Public Awareness Efforts
Beyond the roadside drive, LTO 7 is collaborating with its district offices to enhance public information campaigns about plate availability. This multi-pronged approach aims to boost awareness and participation, ultimately reducing the backlog and improving compliance with vehicle registration standards in Central Visayas.
