The stencil of the engine and chassis numbers of motor vehicles are no longer required for "plain renewal" registration transactions, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced.
This came after then LTO chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo “Jay Art” Tugade issued Memorandum Circular No. JMT-2023-2399 or the Removal of Stencil as Requirement in ‘Plain Renewal’ Registration Transactions.
The LTO said the removal of such requirement is in accordance with the policy of the agency to “streamline its processes to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of its services to the public in line with the provisions of R.A. 11032, known as the "Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.”
“[T]he stencil of the engine and chassis numbers of a motor vehicle shall no longer be required for ‘plain renewal’ registration transactions,” the memorandum stated.
However, the LTO noted that prior to the approval of the application, the motor vehicle must have undergone and passed a physical inspection to determine the unit's roadworthiness, and that such pertinent details in the Certificate of Registration must match the actual motor vehicle.
The memorandum inked by the former LTO chief was dated May 22, 2023.
Tugade had resigned from his post on May 22 due to "differences" with the Department of Transportation (DOTr). His resignation reportedly took effect on June 1.