LTO-IT Controversy
In 2018, the national government entered into a joint venture agreement
with German company Dermalog and its local partners to develop the Land
Transportation Management System, or LTMS.
At that time, Stradcom's I.T. contract with LTO had ended and was operating
in holdover capacity until its system is phased out to be replaced by new
system-the LTMS.
The LTMS is meant to be the platform for the Land Transportation Office to
fully digitalize its processes and replace the I.T. system established by
Stradcom.
The development of the LTMS, which according to news reports has now cost
government 8 billion pesos, was not without problems.
These problems have resulted, according to news reports, delays in the
phaseout of the old I.T. system, complaints about of irregularities and
inefficiencies in LTO processes, as well as accusations of alleged
corruption.
Problems started with Dermalog failing, according to Commission on Audit
reports and assessments from the Department of Information and
Communications Technology, to meet delivery milestones.
This prompted the LTO to continue using some of the old Stradcom I.T.
system.
One of the consequences of the delays in deliverables by the new IT system
developer, and continued use of the old I.T. systems, is groups calling for
the ouster of LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II.
One group calling itself the Coalition for Good Governance publicly asked
President Bongbong Marcos to sack Mendoza who they alleged "allowed
anomalous transactions to happen at the LTO using the previous outdated
LTO-IT system."
They questioned increases on registration and computer fees at the LTO
while still using the old IT system.
They also cited allegations of anomalous registration of vehicles without
insurance policies or with fake insurance and no proper inspection.
Coming to Mendoza's and the LTO's defense is the Transportation District
Officers Association of the Philippines or TDOAP, a group composed of LTO
officers and employees.
According to news reports, the TDOAP came out to refute allegations against
the LTO.
The report said the LTO opted to revert some of the transactions to the old
IT system after noting technical glitches with the LTMS.
It added that the LTO has been using the parallel IT systems since the LTMS
has proven to be inadequate in the agency's day to day operations.
If only LTMS had completely addressed its limitations then we would not
have this problem of having to use two IT systems which is a bane in day to
day operations, it also said.
Addressing the accusations, the LTO said, "We urge all parties to recognize
the progress made and to work together towards a common goal of genuine
reform within the LTO, rather than call for disruptive changes based on
unsubstantiated accusations."
The LTMS should be all about making the LTO more efficient and more
transparent in the performance of its functions. That is what is important
to motorists and vehicle owners . However, billions are spent to make the
LTMS work, and that may be why we are witnessing all these controversies
surrounding the LTMS and LTO's IT infrastructure.