The 4th grading period

It seems that when a TV Patrol viewer complained about commemorative plates, the LTO once again reminded the public that there is a ban on commemorative plates. But this time the ban included ALL plate holders, not just the tinted covers that make it impossible to read plate numbers, but also the clear protective car plate covers. The LTO’s position is that plate covers diminish the reflective ability of the plate thereby making it harder to read when necessary. This is where good intentions cross over to the realm of aesthetics and exaggeration.

Following that announcement on TV Patrol, posts and texts started to spread yesterday morning about opportunistic or predatory traffic enforcers arresting and fining drivers with clear plastic plate holders. In short a lot of people were caught unaware and confused about the matter. Yes we know commemorative plates are banned. Yes we know tinted or dark plate covers are illegal, but even I am unaware that the LTO ban included clear and visible plate covers. So as expected there are now a lot of very angry drivers and car owners who feel betrayed and are being punished for spending money to protect the condition of their plate numbers. One caller pointed out that the LTO issued plate numbers are so thin and fragile that the corners or sides of the plate regularly fold or bend when pants, skirts or bags get caught on them. This he said is why all his cars have car covers that cost as much as P1,500 to P2,000.

The LTO announcement is the perfect example of how “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” For the longest time, the LTO and other law enforcement agencies have tried hard to stop the abuse concerning commemorative plates, but the primary reason the campaign fails is because the promoters and vendors of commemorative plates are offices of the national government. Amongst them are the PNP, the NBI, PNPA, PMA, etc.

On the ground and in the streets, enforcers will not dare or risk challenging a driver inside an expensive car, who obviously has connections and money and can afford to buy expensive special plates. There is also the principle of extending courtesy to their “kabaro” or associates in uniform. The fact is so many pronouncements and clarifications have been made by the LTO, MMDA, PNP but unless someone shuts down the source, some unsuspecting buyer will be duped or pressured to buy. Why not shut down the plate maker or their factory if those plates are illegal?

I for one never liked those commemorative plates especially from Law enforcement groups, because they send a veiled message that the driver is not to be messed with, because they are law enforcers with guns. In Tagalog it is an instrument for “sindak” or to scare others.

Perhaps our friends at the LTO should consider several things and hopefully they can better assess the situation before it gets out of hand. First and foremost, the LTO should make an effort to at least consult with respected organizations such as the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), the many car clubs and transport groups as well as motoring media. These organizations can give the LTO officials inputs as well as help the LTO disseminate information.

After that they should launch a public information campaign for at least 15 days through the help of traditional and social media and not just the top 3 TV news shows or top 3 am radio programs. One big mistake people assume is that when you’ve been to the Top 3 everybody will know. Sorry that is an urban myth that government officials believe. By doing the information campaign especially among government agencies, no one can accuse the LTO or other government offices for that matter of not doing their job properly. This will also prevent a sudden surge of opportunistic arrests being made by kotong cops and enforcers preying on drivers who honestly and sincerely did not know.

Finally it would be best for the LTO to properly evaluate or study certain laws or rules on motor vehicles. First of all, if the law or rule has to do with LTO matters, then only LTO officers and agents should be authorized to make arrests and issue fines. There have been too many instances were mere tanods or traffic tanods step in to make arrests when they don’t even know the law, don’t have a driver’s license etc. In other words limit this qualified and authorize people to stop kotong.

Our friends in LTO should also bear in mind that the law cannot be mere lip service.

If car covers are illegal or disallowed, then the LTO must work with the DTI and BOC to stop their importation, manufacture or sale. If “after-market” modifications are not allowed then inform the public regularly what modifications are not allowed, work with manufacturers and insurance companies, even with mayors the same way it’s done in countries abroad. If one form of modification is not allowed, then many other modifications must be disallowed and the LTO must make the necessary arrests. This is where the rule or the law actually falls apart; when only private car owners are punished but not other violators such as jeepneys and motorcycles.

Because of the circumstance, it is easy to assume that the LTO responded to the TV Patrol report because of PR considerations. So what happens if people start complaining about noisy motorcycles, polluting jeepneys and black out tinted cars? There are laws going all the way back to Martial Law days that ban tinted cars. There are many laws on noise pollution; jeepneys violate so many rules of vehicle design and safety, buses commit noise pollution everyday. The question is what is the LTO doing about all these? Do we have to be in TV to get justice for all? As one texter shared: They can’t even provide stickers and new plate numbers on time, now they want to punish us?