Gov’t robbed of P37B— LTO chief
Of this figure, around P18.4 billion is the revenue loss from four-wheel vehicles, some P15.5 billion from motorcycles, and P3.25 billion from trucks and buses
Daily TribuneOf this figure, around P18.4 billion is the revenue loss from four-wheel vehicles, some P15.5 billion from motorcycles, and P3.25 billion from trucks and buses
The sheer volume of motor vehicle owners who neglect or intentionally evade legal registration has dealt a staggering blow to the government's coffers.
Land Transportation Office chief, Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, in Wednesday's interview on DAILY TRIBUNE's online program Straight Talk, said P37.10 billion in potential revenue had been drained away.
To address the alarming issue, the LTO has begun a strict crackdown on non-compliant motorists and ordered the strict implementation of the "No Registration, No Travel" policy.
Assistant Secretary Mendoza II said agency data showed that 65 percent of the motor vehicles on the country's roads are classified as delinquent.
Around 24.7 million of 38.3 million vehicles in the country still need to be registered with the LTO, or about 13.3 million, or 35 percent, of all registered motor vehicles.
These numbers, he said, translate to a loss of approximately P37.10 billion to the government.
Of this figure, around P18.4 billion is the revenue loss from four-wheel vehicles, some P15.5 billion from motorcycles, and P3.25 billion from trucks and buses.
"We need to be strict about this, not only in the aspect of revenue losses to the government but also in the aspect of road safety because most of these delinquent vehicles probably have roadworthiness issues. We will not allow this. Every vehicle owner must register their vehicle, and what we will focus on today is strict compliance with this obligation," Mendoza said.
Threats to road safety
"These motor vehicles are threats to road safety. We have to be very strict in implementing the laws on land transportation to make it fair to the law-abiding vehicle owners and for the welfare of the road users," he said.
Mendoza has issued marching orders to all LTO regional directors to strictly implement the "No Registration, No Travel" policy.
Based on LTO data, the National Capital Region has the highest number of delinquent motor vehicle owners, with 4.1 million, followed by Region III with 3.3 million, and Region IV with 2.7 million.
In the Visayas, around 1.8 million delinquent motor vehicles were recorded in Region VI and Region VII, while Region VIII has about 758,000.
In Mindanao, Region XI has the biggest number of delinquencies, with 1.2 million, followed closely by Region XII with 1.1 million, and both Region IX and Region X with almost one million each.
"Included in this report are vehicles that have not had their registration renewed for more than one year. This does not include those that have not renewed their registration in less than a year," Mendoza said.