LTO waives penalties for drivers, vehicle owners in calamity-hit areas
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has waived the penalties for the late registration of vehicles, late renewal of drivers’ licenses and late settlement of fines for traffic violations in areas that experienced heavy rains and widespread flooding due to the southwest monsoon (“habagat”) and three successive tropical cyclones that hit the country.
Based on a memorandum signed by LTO Chief Greg Pua that was released on Tuesday, the 15-day period for the settlement of all traffic apprehension cases dated July 21 to July 25 in calamity-hit areas would be extended “to maximize the assistance to affected motorists.”
“The last day of the settlement of fines on said apprehensions without penalty shall be on Aug. 8, 2025,” Pua said in the memo issued to all LTO regional directors, other officials and employees. Also waived were the fines covering the weekly surcharge for those who failed to register their motor vehicles or renew their driver’s license during the same period or from July 21 to July 25.
“Validity of the vehicle registration and driver’s license within that period [is] likewise extended to Aug. 8, 2025,” Pua said.
Relief
In addition, those who bought motor vehicles, including motorcycles, between July 21 and July 25 but failed to have these registered during the prescribed period will not be penalized as well.
According to Pua, the counting of days on the sales invoice for the vehicles bought during the said period will start on Aug. 8 “in order to avoid the penalty for late registration of new motor vehicles.”
Many parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, and portions of the Visayas and Mindanao sustained damage due to the combined effects of the habagat and Tropical Cyclones “Crising” (international name: Wipha), “Dante” (Francisco) and “Emong” (Co-may) that hit the country in the past week.
As of Tuesday, the death toll was at 34, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Nine out of the total were reported in the National Capital Region, followed by eight in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and six in Western Visayas. Three deaths were recorded each in the Negros Island Region and Northern Mindanao, two in Central Luzon and one each in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Davao region and Caraga.
On the other hand, seven individuals remain missing, while 18 others were injured.
The recent weather disturbances have affected over 6.6 million people nationwide. —WITH A REPORT FROM JOHN ERIC MENDOZA
