House joint panels OK bill prescribing bigger motorcycle license plates

The House of Committees on Transportation and Public Order and Safety on Wednesday approved the substitute bill seeking to prevent the use of motorcycles in crimes by mandating bigger plates and other identification marks.

In the unnamed substitute bill, driving a motorcycle without a readable number plate will be declared prohibited, and the vehicle driven without a readable number plate will be apprehended and impounded by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) law enforcement officer.

A motorcycle rider without a readable number plate will be slapped with a fine of P5,000 for the first offense, P10,000 for the second offense, and P15,000 for the third offense and revocation of his or her driver's license.

During the hearing, Muntinlupa Representative Ruffy Biazon, who headed the technical working group tasked to fine-tune the bill, said the measure initially required a "bigger" plate number.

After discussions with stakeholders and regulatory bodies, however, Biazon said they decided to replace the term "bigger" with "readable."

"We used the term 'bigger' number plates as opposed to the term 'readable' because we felt as it is all number plates are readable. So a better description is the word 'bigger,'" he said.

The size of the number plate was not specified in the bill, Biazon said, as it would restrict the LTO in determining the proper size to use after conducting their own study.

"We felt that specifying the size of the plate at this time would restrict the LTO in what size of plates they will use. During discussions with the LTO, we agreed that the specific size should be based on a study that should be undertaken by the LTO," he said.

"The requirement that we just placed in the bill is that it should be in readable font from a minimum distance of 12 meters," he added.

In the previous committee hearing, transport groups also advised against the use of bigger license plates for motorcycles, as this may endanger the safety of the rider and pedestrians.

Following its approval in the committee level, the substitute bill will then be submitted to the plenary for further deliberations and approval on second reading. —ALG, GMA News