But after the Supreme Court's go signal to release around 700,000 license plates, the LTO says it is set to release these as soon as the decision becomes final.
However, of the 700,000 license plates subject of the June 2016 stay order, only 300,000 have yet to be released.
Half of the stock had been distributed before the court issued a stay order and regulators say the remaining license plates are replacements for old plates.
But there's still the bigger problem – a backlog of six to seven million plates dating back to 2013.
LTO Executive Director Romeo Vera Cruz said they're still waiting for the Commission on Audit's (COA) action.
The COA disallowed the motor vehicle license plate standardization program in 2013.
Vera Cruz said, "Pending pa 'yung petition for review that was filed by DOTR-LTO noon pa."
He pointed out this was a big deal as it would cover 11 million plates.
"We cannot pay because of the notice of disallowance. If we cannot pay the supplier will not deliver," Vera Cruz added.
Vera Cruz said they're hoping the high court's ruling will prompt the COA to act soon on their petition. But pending the COA decision, the LTO has already procured three million plates.
Vera cruz said these plates would cover vehicles registered from July 2016 to December 2017, adding production would begin in March and release would start in April.