• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Land Transportation Office – Negros Island Region (LTO-NIR) has debunked viral social media claims suggesting a recent hike in motor vehicle registration fees.
In a statement, the agency clarified that standard registration rates remain unchanged and are strictly aligned with existing regulations.
The LTO explained that the higher payments reported by some vehicle owners are not the result of a new fee structure but are typically due to penalties and surcharges associated with late or delinquent registrations.
It clarified that the vehicle registration must be renewed by a specific deadline based on the plate number, any delay triggers immediate fines and back charges for the period the vehicle remained unregistered.
The agency noted that these accumulated costs can create the false impression of a sudden price increase for those who have failed to renew on time.
The agency also urged the public against engaging with fixers who may exploit confused motorists and emphasized that all transactions should be conducted exclusively through official LTO offices and authorized channels to ensure transparency and legal compliance.*
