In a nationwide campaign focused on road safety, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has apprehended a staggering 20,089 unregistered motor vehicles throughout the month of July.

LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II emphasized that registration is not merely a bureaucratic requirement, but a crucial component of vehicle or motorcycle roadworthiness.

“This is not just about the obligation to register; it is also about roadworthiness because a vehicle undergoes strict inspection before it is registered,” said Mendoza.

Data from the LTO revealed the sheer scale of the problem, with motorcycles topping the list with 12,672, while 3,712 were tricycles. The remaining 3,705 apprehended were vans, sedans, trucks, and SUVs.

LTO Region IV-A (CALABARZON) tops last month’s “No registration, No travel” apprehensions, which was closely followed by LTO Cagayan Valley, and LTO Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) regions.

Mendoza issued a stern warning to owners of unregistered vehicles, reminding them of the severe penalties.

“Aside from the penalty for late registration, you will have to pay PHP 10,000 if you are caught.”

Mendoza also encouraged motorists to register their vehicles to avoid these hefty fines and ensure their peace of mind. As part of the protocol, apprehended vehicles must pass a roadworthiness inspection before they can be released to their owners. Mendoza also called on the public to report unregistered vehicles to the LTO to further support their ongoing safety campaign.