Voting 22-0, the Senate approved on third and final reading Senate Bill number 2555 which amended the “Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act.”
Sponsored by Sen. Francis Tolentino and authored by Senators JV Ejercito, Ronald Dela Rosa and Raffy Tulfo, the bill aims to address motorcycle riders’ concerns while ensuring public safety.
The new bill introduces key amendments to address key issues:
- Removal of the “doble plaka” requirement: Eliminating the need for larger front plates, instead advocating for the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
- Installing RFID Sticker at the front portion of the motorcycles
- Reducing fines
- Giving motorcycle owners until June 30, 2025, to renew the registration, and the Land Transportation Office until December 31, 2025, to issue required plates
Tolentino noted that while motorcycles have become a practical solution for many Filipinos facing daily traffic congestion, their increased usage has also led to a rise in “riding in tandem” crimes.
RA number 11235 was enacted in 2019 to combat this, mandating larger, readable number plates to allow law enforcement to identify motorcycles easily.
However, the original “doble plaka” requirement faced significant criticism from motorcycle riders who argued it would affect their vehicles’ aerodynamics and safety.
Due to these concerns, the previous administration suspended the law’s implementation.
Dela Rosa said the approval of the proposed measure is a testament to this Senate’s commitment to the people.
Last week, during the opening of the third regular session, he said the Senate President called to pass legislative measures to address the immediate needs and challenges faced by the public. “And it goes without saying, that our beloved riders constitute a vital part of that which we call ‘the public,” he said.