LTO scraps extra charge for motorcycle cargo boxes

National

MOTORCYCLE riders who depend on their vehicles for work will get a small but significant financial break after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced it is removing the P100 registration fee for custom-made top boxes and saddle bags.

In a statement, the LTO said the policy change takes effect following the signing of a memorandum by LTO chief Markus Lacanilao.

The order eliminates the fee previously imposed for every cargo box or saddle bag attached to a motorcycle.

Lacanilao said the move is intended to support delivery riders, couriers and other workers who rely on motorcycles to earn a living.

In a report by Inquirer.net, Lacanilao noted that removing the additional charge would help ease daily expenses for riders already facing rising fuel and maintenance costs.

Despite the fee waiver, the LTO clarified that registration of motorcycles fitted with custom-made top boxes or saddle bags remains mandatory.

The agency said the requirement is necessary to ensure that vehicles carrying additional equipment remain safe and roadworthy.

The LTO emphasized that part of its responsibility is to assess whether a motorcycle’s engine capacity and overall condition can safely handle added cargo.

Officials said safety checks will continue even as fees are reduced.

Under the new policy, the agency will issue a certificate as proof of registration instead of the official receipt that riders previously received after paying the P100 fee.

The LTO said its central office will soon issue guidelines on how these certificates will be processed and released.

The fee removal is part of the LTO’s broader “7-Point Policy Agenda,” which seeks to eliminate unnecessary charges and streamline transactions.

The agency said the initiative aims to balance public convenience with the need to maintain road safety standards.

To ensure smooth implementation, the LTO directed all regional offices and inspection centers to comply with the new memorandum.

Officials were also instructed to assist motorcycle owners during registration to prevent delays as the updated policy takes effect.(Xienderlyn Trinidad, USJ-R Comm Intern)