July 01,2024 - Quezon City saw the strict implementation of the “No Plate, No Travel” policy for tricycles on Monday, July 1st, resulting in the apprehension of at least 23 tricycle drivers.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO), in collaboration with the Quezon City government, launched the initiative. Reports from the LTO Central Office revealed that 16 drivers were caught during the initial hours for operating unregistered tricycles.
Five more tricycles were flagged down for lacking license plates, while two drivers faced penalties for driving without a license.
LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, emphasized that the policy was implemented after consultations and agreements with the Quezon City government and leaders of various Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODA).
"Our friends from the Quezon City TODA welcome this policy. Not only did we effectively communicate its importance, but they themselves have been complaining about colorum tricycles taking away their rightful income," said Assec Mendoza.
He further stated, "This aligns with Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista's directive to ensure the safety of all road users, especially commuters who rely on tricycles for daily travel."
TODA members in Quezon City expressed satisfaction with the aggressive campaign against colorum tricycles, which have been negatively impacting the earnings of legitimate drivers and operators.
The policy, outlined in a memorandum signed by Assec Mendoza, mandates that "all tricycles must display valid and authorized licensed plates at all times while operating on the road."
Assec Mendoza clarified that "the license plates must be clearly visible and properly attached to the tricycles."
To effectively enforce the policy, a sufficient number of LTO personnel and QC traffic enforcers will be deployed in strategic areas throughout Quezon City.
The implementation of the "No Plate, No Travel" policy comes after the LTO successfully addressed the backlog of license plates for public transport tricycles in Quezon City by distributing nearly 3,000 plates weeks prior.
"The implementation will continue throughout Quezon City, and we aim to replicate this nationwide in the near future," concluded the LTO memorandum.