[ LTO MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 691-2006, February 14, 2006 ]
REVISED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES IN THE ACQUISITION OF OPTIONAL MOTOR VEHICLES SPECIAL PLATES (OMVSP)
Pursuant to the provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 74, Republic Act No. 4136 and Administrative Order No. 009-2004 dated 03 September 2004, and in view of the impending exhaustion of combinations of alpha-numeric characters under the current format of motor vehicle plates, as well as an additional source of revenue for the government, the following revised guidelines and procedures in the acquisition of optional motor vehicle special plates are hereby promulgated for the observance of all concerned:
A. Rationale for the Special Plates
It is typical for motorists in the Philippines as it is in the other Asian countries to strike a preference towards certain alphanumeric character combinations for personal reasons and identification purposes. Such tendency provides a good opportunity for the LTO to increase its revenue by implementing a different pricing scheme in the issuance of MV plates with 01-100 numeric characters, which are to be matched with the alphas, as in three-letter and two/three number combinations.
As a revenue-raising measure, increased cost shall be collected for production of unissued motor vehicle plates with choice characters such as triple-alpha; triple numeric; numeric characters 168; any numeric combination with identical first and third characters but 0 for middle digit e.g., 101 or 707; and any other combinations which do not form part of the regular series of MV plates, when requested for production by a MV registered owner.
As a step to solve the problem of depleting alphanumeric combinations, the letter I , O , and Q shall be utilized. O shall have a different font to distinguish it from zero (0)
B. Nature and Coverage of Special Plates
The OMVSP are considered as a regular MV plate. As such these shall be issued in pairs and shall be permanently assigned to a specified motor vehicle during its life- time. Moreover, their acquisition is left to the choice of the motor vehicle owner and shall therefore be issued only upon direct application by the owner of a private motor vehicle, which is for initial or first-time registration with the LTO. The MV s covered herein are as follows:
a. Cars
b. Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV)
c. Asian Utility Vehicles (AUV)
d. Sports Pick-up
e. Commuter Vans
No application shall be accepted that is made after more than three (3) months from the date of initial registration.
The following MV types shall be excluded from the coverage of those that can be issued special plate:
1. Public Utility Vehicles
2. Cargo Trucks (private/for hire)
3. Service Vehicle (hotel limousines, tourist vehicles, rent-a-car, ambulance and funeral hearse)
4. Vintage Vehicle
5. Government Vehicle
6. Diplomatic/OE Vehicle
7. MV with more than 4-wheel category
8. Used/Imported/Surplus MV
C. Where to Apply for Special Plates
Application can be made at the LTO Central Office or at any regional/district office, which shall forward it to the OMVSP Committee, Central Office (CO), for processing. Said committee reserves the right to approve or reject all applications and shall be responsible in delivering directly, to the registering agency, the special plates ordered by the MV registered owner. This will ensure prompt updating of database, closure of transaction and that the OMVSP plate will only be issued to duly registered and legitimate MV owner.
D. How to Apply for Special Plates
Since the special plates ordered shall be sent by special courier, in order to facilitate and to secure delivery, it is important that the applicant MV owner indicates correctly and clearly his/her forwarding address as well as his/her contact/telephone number. If for any reason, he/she cannot personally receive the plates, the person authorized to receive in his behalf must be indicated in his application.
E. Documentary Requirements
The following documents must be attached to the application, for transmittal to the OMVSP Committee at the Central Office:
1. Duly accomplished applications form;
2. Certified true copy of OR/CR issued by the TDO;
3. Certified true copy of the official receipt of payment for the plates ordered, by the cashier and noted by the District Head or Regional Director;
4. Certification by the TDO that no plates have been issued previously;
F. Cost of Special License Plates
The MV owner may choose from any of the following pricing schemes:
1. Any triple alpha and non-triple alpha + two (2) numeric character combinations 01-99, shall cost Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (Php 25,000.00) inclusive of the handling charge by the authorized LTO courier.
Example: GMA 01 AAA 08 ARL 77
2. Any triple alpha and non-triple alpha + numeric character 100, shall cost Fifteen Thousand Pesos (Php 15,000.00) inclusive of the handling charge by the authorized LTO courier.
Example: DPJ 100 JPG 100 MMM 100
3. Any combination of characters such as triple-alpha, triple-numeric and other combination of characters shall cost fifteen Thousand Pesos (Php 15,000.00) inclusive of the handling charge by the authorized LTO courier.
Example: MCM 707 DML 168 MTS 808
The cost of the special plates does not include the applicable fees and charges that a MV owner pays to the LTO for the registration of the unit.
G. Special Plates Specifications
The special plates shall have the same green embossed alphanumeric character and green border with the green slogan, Matatag na Republika and plate format of Central Rizal monument in full color graphics - as the regular plates for private motor vehicles. The quality and use of special font shall be adopted for purposes of this program.
H. Suppletory and Superseding Clauses
All related existing rules and regulations are incorporated by reference as an integral part hereof and those in conflict herewith are deemed modified or superseded accordingly.
I. Effectivity
This circular shall take effect on March 1, 2006.
For strict compliance.
Adopted: 14 Feb. 2006
(SGD.) ANNELI R. LONTOC
Assistant Secretary