TACLOBAN CITY –The Land Transportation Office (LTO) here on Thursday began the release of more than 100,000 backlogged license plates to motor vehicle owners in Eastern Visayas.

LTO Regional Director Edgar Catarungan said his office will distribute 50 to 100 plates daily for owners with cars registered between July 2016 to December 2017.

“The target is to release the plates for July 2016 registration within the month. We will start the distribution of plates for August 2016 registration before the end of the month if we’re already done with the first batch,” Catarungan told reporters.

“The LTO notified the vehicle owners on the dates they may claim their plates. We also tied up with car dealers to facilitate the distribution,” Catarungan added.

On plates registered before July 1, 2016, the LTO official said that they are awaiting the Commission on Audit resolution on the disallowance.

The release of plates will continue as the LTO plate-making plant, with seven embossing machines, produces nearly 10,000 plates daily. This is part of a contract of Trojan Computer Forms Manufacturing Corp. and JH. Tonnjes E.A.S.T. GmbH Joint Venture.

On motorcycle plates, Catarungan said that there is a pending bill in Congress to design a differently-sized plate.

Motorcycle owners are free to use their motorcycles as long as these are registered, with their respective motor vehicle file numbers displayed, Catarungan said. (PNA)