The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Bicol has addressed the backlog for license plates for four-wheel vehicles but the agency continues to face a backlog for 233,681 motorcycle license plates dating back to 2014.

Edgar de la Cruz, a tricycle driver, has been using a temporary plate for over a year for his vehicle.

Despite paying for his license plate, he has yet to receive it from the LTO.

"Abala ta[po]s dapat ngani kuta na, kung [ipa-]pakakua na [dapat sa laog sana nin] sa[rong] bulan. Arog kaiyan dapat, yaon na kuta na ta inabot na nin sarong taon, mayo pang nag-aabot na original [na plaka],” de la Cruz said.

According to LTO Bicol, Edgar is one of the over 233,681 motorcycle owners in the region still waiting for their license plates.

The backlog began in 2014 and was exacerbated by a court injunction affecting the printing of motorcycle plates. 

"Nagkaroon ng injunction kasi noon may bidding, may nanalo [at] may natalo, kaya nagkaroon ng injunction a long time ago kaya... yun yung rason," Francisco Ranches Jr., Regional Director of LTO Bicol, said.

In response, the LTO said they're acquiring their own printing machine to reduce the backlog. 

The agency expects the arrival of over 191,000 plates covering backlogs from 2014 to 2017.

The LTO has also issued warnings to motorcycle dealers responsible for distributing new plates to owners. 

Penalties for non-compliance include fines and suspensions:

First Offense: P100,000 fine with suspension
Second Offense: P500,000 fine with suspension
Third Offense: Revocation of dealership license

"So mataas po yung mga penalties, kasi dati puro fine lang ngayon [it] is [with] suspension na," Ranches said.