Road safety, transport, and digitalization advocates are rallying behind the Commission on Audit’s (COA) call for the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to fully implement the P8.2-billion Land Transportation Management System (LTMS). This aims to shield motorists from unnecessary computer fees and enhance the efficiency of LTO services nationwide.
Support from Transportation Advocates
Augustus Ferreria, president of the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), expressed strong support for the COA’s recommendation. He stated, “AAP endorses the full implementation of LTMS. The system brings efficient public service not just to our members, but more importantly to the country’s motorists.” Ferreria emphasized that the LTMS fosters a “corruption-free environment that can enhance the experience of owning a motor vehicle in the Philippines.”
Similarly, Diolito Inosanto Jr., president of the Federated Land Transport Organization of the Philippines, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the benefits of the LTMS in reducing unnecessary fees and improving efficiency. He remarked, “The removal of computer fees and the improved efficiency provided by LTMS in the registration renewal process has been beneficial to motorists. The system is an effective modernization project of the Marcos administration.”
Martin de los Angeles, vice president of the Philippine Transport Monitor, noted the positive impact of the LTMS on transaction times at LTO offices. He observed, “We have all felt the improvements brought by LTMS (with) faster driver’s licenses and motor vehicle renewals. We are glad that the audit report of the transportation department recognizes the need for 100 percent usage of the LTMS, especially since it is the government-owned system which brings millions of savings to motorists.”
Carlo Reyes, CEO of Vox Dei Protocol Systems Inc., also expressed support, emphasizing the system’s role in expediting renewals and registrations. He stated, “The system allows motor vehicle owners and driver’s license card holders to process renewals and registrations quickly. Having the system in place is a leap in the modernization of the LTO.”
COA’s Findings and Recommendations
The advocates’ support follows the COA’s 2023 annual audit report on the Department of Transportation, released on December 2, which highlighted concerns over the LTO’s partial utilization of the LTMS. Auditors noted that despite the completion of the P8.227-billion LTMS, the LTO continued to charge motorists P203.1 million in fees for the use of the old IT system of Stradcom Corp. during the last four months of 2023. This practice resulted in additional costs for the public, as the new system was not fully operational.
The COA report also revealed that the LTO had previously assured the House Committee on Transportation that full utilization of the LTMS would be implemented no later than August 30, 2023. However, the system remained underutilized due to unresolved issues and performance problems.
LTO’s Response and Future Plans
In response to the COA’s findings, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II has advocated for a full government takeover of the LTMS from its German contractor, Dermalog. Mendoza stated, “Our IT experts are capable of operating and maintaining the system. In fact, they are the ones who are really working to fix the system to make it more comfortable for end-users, and eventually make the online platform fully utilized.”
The LTO aims to address the technical issues identified by the COA and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to ensure the LTMS’s full functionality. The agency has established a Technical Working Group to oversee the system’s enhancement and is working towards achieving 100% digital transactions by the end of November 2023.
Final Thoughts
The call for the full implementation of the LTMS reflects a collective effort to modernize the LTO’s operations, reduce unnecessary costs for motorists, and improve the overall efficiency of transportation services in the Philippines. Advocates emphasize that a fully functional LTMS will not only streamline processes but also foster a more transparent and accountable system for all stakeholders.