President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) has “initially approved” a proposal to extend the registration validity of newly registered vehicles from the current three years to five years. The development was disclosed during a press briefing at Malacañang on Tuesday.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer, Atty. Claire Castro said the President was amenable to the recommendation put forward by Transportation Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez. According to Castro, Lopez presented the proposal and its intended benefits to the President, who subsequently “initially approved” the plan.

“Katulad po ng sinabi natin, nagkaroon po ng suggestion si Sec. Lopez na gawin na po na yung mga new vehicle registration ay imbes na 3 years ay gawing 5 years. At naipakita po ng Secretary Lopez ang kagandahan po nito. At, inisyal po na na-aprubahan ito ng Pangulo, at susundan po ito ng mga Memorandum na gagawin po ng DOTr,” said PCO Usec. Atty. Castro.

(As we said, Sec. Lopez had a suggestion to make new vehicle registrations 5 years instead of 3 years. And Secretary Lopez showed the beauty of it. And, the President has initially approved it, and it will be followed by Memorandums that will be prepared by the DOTr.)

What does it mean to a vehicle buyer?

Under the current system, newly purchased vehicles are given an initial registration valid for three years from the date of purchase. For instance, a new vehicle bought today and issued a license plate ending in “2” would have its registration valid until February 2029.

If the proposed policy is fully approved, the initial registration period for new vehicles would be extended to five years. Using the same example above, the vehicle owner would no longer need to renew the registration until February 2031.