After many years of waiting, motorcycle owners in Pangasinan are finally getting their plates. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Dagupan City has received more than 3,000 motorcycle plates — part of the nationwide backlog dating as far back as 2014.

These are called cascading plates, long-delayed due to production issues.

Now, the LTO Dagupan District Office is working to distribute them, prioritizing tricycle drivers who have waited for years.

“May listahan nang ibinigay sa amin ang regional office,” Romel Dawaton, Chief of the LTO Dagupan City District Office, said.

To speed up the release, LTO is coordinating with local governments so they can deliver the plates directly to tricycle drivers.

An initial list of names with available plates has already been prepared.

In Mangaldan, about 20 percent of tricycles still do not have official plates. Many drivers use improvised or customized plates while waiting. For them, getting an official plate means peace of mind — especially during inspections.

“Importante ang plaka ng motorsiklo para kapag may checkpoint, hindi kami problemado,” Dante Ventura, a tricycle driver, said.

LTO assured the public that plate production and distribution will continue until all backlogs are cleared.

“Minamadali na ng LTO ang distribution ng mga plaka,” Dawaton said.

The agency also reminded vehicle owners who wish to claim their plates to bring the original Official Receipt (OR), Certificate of Registration (CR), and a valid government-issued ID.