LTO mulling decreasing fees for unclaimed impounded motor vehicles set for auction

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is studying the possibility of lowering the administrative fees and other charges for unclaimed impounded motor vehicles (UIMV) set for auction.

In a statement released on Tuesday, LTO said the move came after attendees of auction proceedings in some of its offices complained that prices of UIMV were “same as brand-new even though they were no longer in running condition.”

For this reason, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Teofilo Guadiz III said that they are reviewing Department Order No. 93-693 series of 1992 or the “Revised Schedule of Administrative Fees and Charges of the Land Transportation Office”, particularly on the impounding fees and other charges.

Under the provision, Guadiz said that the impounding fee is pegged at P100 while the storage fee is at P15 per day.

“We will study the possibility of coming up with a fair assessment of a vehicle and its overall condition and in consideration of other factors such as storage. By doing so, we hope to come up with a fair and reasonable market value that will serve as the floor price of an auctioned vehicle to make it more appealing to bidders,” he said.

Guadiz also said they might seek the recommendation of technical experts from government agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to determine the working condition and quality of the vehicles before they are auctioned.

Moreover, LTO said that unsold vehicles for auction might be donated to TESDA and state colleges and universities “to be put into good use.”

"Maaari kasing makumpuni at maibalik sa maayos na kondisyon ang mga sasakyan o magamit ang spare parts nito bilang bahagi ng training para sa Automotive at Land Transport courses," it added.

(These vehicles may still be repaired and brought to good condition or their spare parts may be used, as part of training for Automotive and Land Transport courses.) —Mel Matthew Doctor/KG, GMA News