ALL tricycles in Quezon City are now required to display “valid and authorized” license plates while traveling on the road, as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) began implementing the “no plate, no travel” policy for tricycles on Monday, July 1.

In a press release, the LTO reported that at least 23 tricycles were apprehended by authorities, with 16 drivers found to be unregistered. 

Meanwhile, five of them were caught for driving motor vehicles with no license plates, while the other two were apprehended for driving without a driver’s license.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said that the Quezon City government and members of various Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) approved of the implementation of the policy to prevent colorum tricycles, or unauthorized units, from operating. 

He noted that many TODA members complained about how these colorum tricycles affect the income of authorized tricycle drivers and operators.

“Sila mismo ay nagrereklamo sa mga colorum na mga tricycles na inaagaw ang kita na dapat ay para sa kanila,” said Mendoza, adding that the policy helps to ensure road safety.

What’s the policy all about?

In June 2024, Mendoza signed a memorandum in compliance with Section 18 of Republic Act No. 4136 on the use of number plates.

The memorandum requires drivers of tricycles used as public transport to “display valid and authorized license plates at all times while plying the road.” These license plates must also be “clearly visible and properly attached to the vehicle.”

“Any tricycle found operating without a valid license plate shall be apprehended, while appropriate legal actions and penalties in accordance with existing laws and regulations shall be imposed,” it read.

This regulation came after the LTO was able to address the almost 3,000 backlog in license plates for tricycle drivers in Quezon City, according to Mendoza.

Quezon City served as the pilot run of the “stricter” road safety and anti-colorum measure, but the LTO said it has coordinated with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the nationwide implementation of the policy, specifically on four-wheel vehicles.

Mendoza had appealed to car dealers to immediately distribute their clients’ plates to avoid backlogs.

“We also extend the same appeal to the motor vehicle owners. Dapat ay kunin na nila ang kanilang mga plaka at ikabit na agad ito sa kanilang mga sasakyan,” he said.

Commuters’ safety

College students Pauline Nello and John Dave Brion, both from the University of Caloocan City, expressed support for the “no plate, no travel” policy to ensure the safety of commuters. 

The two communication students said riding tricycles has been part of their daily commute, traveling from home to school, and vice versa.  

“Para po kasi makapunta sa university namin, kailangan muna naming mag-tricycle pagkababa ng jeep. So, we ride tricycles most of the time,” Nello told republicasia. “But ‘pag pauwi po, there are times that we just choose to walk kasi malapit lang naman po yung mismong sakayan ng jeep.”

For the 20-year-old college student, implementing the “no plate, no travel” policy would help track down crimes that might involve tricycle drivers. She shared one incident in their village where a tricycle driver allegedly tried to rape his passenger.

“I think it is better to implement this policy naman po. This will ensure the safety of the commuter kasi may plate number silang pwedeng panghawakan if ever na may mangyari sa kanila,” she said.

Nello continued, “If ever na may mga katulad po na sitwasyon ang mangyayari, it would be easier for the authorities na hanapin yung mga ganoong uri ng driver based sa plaka nila. It would be easier for them in a way that they could ask for the list of registered drivers and plate numbers in specific areas.”

Brion agreed with Nello as he recalled the alleged crime.

“Nagpapanggap daw na normal tricycle driver ang suspect and he targeted girls to ride on his trike, and soon after, he will take advantage of his passenger,” he narrated.

This is why having registered license plates displayed on tricycles is important, said Brion.

“Once an [incident] occurs involving a tricycle with no plate, it will be hard to find the [perpetrator] since there will be no lead. So as a student commuter, [the policy] is kinda good especially if we are going to consider [the] safety of students and commuters,” he said.

Mendoza said that all license plates of tricycles used in public transport in Quezon City have been distributed. Those with no license plates would be presumed colorum by the LTO, he added.

The LTO chief previously advised tricycle drivers to adhere to the “no plate, no travel” policy to avoid getting penalized.

Suggestions for LGU

While the policy has yet to take effect in Caloocan City, Nello suggested that their local government unit (LGU) assist tricycle drivers in registering the plate numbers of their units. She also hoped that the LGU would inform the drivers beforehand to give them time to process the documents they need for the registration. 

“If ever po na mababawasan yung number of tricycles due to unregistered plates sa city namin, maraming commuters din po ang magigipit. May mga areas po kasi sa’min na malayo sa sakayan ng jeep so ang only choice lang po is to ride a tricycle,” Nello said.

“But since the implementation of the ordinance is for our safety din, sana lang the LGU will assist those drivers who haven’t updated their plates yet,” she continued, adding that the LGU should place more authorized units in the city to prevent colorum tricycles from getting passengers.

Brion echoed this and suggested that the LTO make the registration “more accessible” for the tricycle drivers.