Convicts eyed to speed up plate manufacture

Keen to kickstart the implementation of Republic Act 11235 (the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law / Doble Plaka) which mandates the use of new plates, both in front and behind of motorcycles, Senator Richard Gordon suggested tapping convicts to help manufacture motorcycle plates and meet the 18 million required.

Gordon, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, has been conducting a Senate inquiry into the stalled production and implementation of the new motorcycle plates.

In the past the LTO has said it cannot implement nor enforce the new law unless all registered motorcycles receive the new plates.

Gordon proposed the idea in order to speed up its production. The Senator said the national penitentiary has a lot of manpower but the inmates have to be compensated.

Present before the committee was Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary, Edgar Galvante, who said the suggestion was possible. However, Galvante cited that a private plate manufacturer had already been contracted and they would need to be consulted.

1.4 million new motorcycle plates, compliant with the new specifications, have already been stamped. Of these, 875,000 plates have been sent to LTO regional offices, 298,000 plates delivered to motorcycle dealers while 400,000 new plates are in transit. Transport officials said the demand for motorcycle plates is highest in Mindanao. The LTO needs to meet the production target of 18 million plates by June 2022.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez agreed with the suggestion of the senator with the Muntinlupa national penitentiary eyed as one of the possible producers.

doble plaka motorcycle plate ra 11235