LTO launches new registration system

By: Jun Icban-Legaspi - Journal on-line

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) yesterday introduced a new system of registration using Radio Frequency Identification Tag (RFIDT) with no additional cost to the vehicle owners.

Transportation and Communication Assistant Secretary and LTO chief Reynaldo Berroya said thru the Information Technology Provider (STRADCOM) the innovation in the registration would be implemented in the first quarter of 2008 for private vehicles and first quarter in 2009 for the public utility vehicles.

Berroya said the Working Technical Committee that studied the program is set to forward the concepts to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) for approval.

Berroya said RFID tag on every vehicle can be read electronically. It is going to be used to identify vehicles and validate the identity, status and compliance and authenticity of all motor vehicles.

He said the RFID would improve public safety and environment and increase revenue collection.

RFID program spokesman Ernesto Severino assured that the new system is 100 percent guaranteed safe and tamper-resistant.

Meanwhile, a group of private vehicle owners also aired their support for Berroya but did not express opposition to his being replaced with former Philippine National Police chief Arturo Lomibao.

PMAC spokesperson Roberto Cruz, said Berroya, during his 10-month reign at the LTO has done many things to improve the agency. But they believe that Lomibao could continue Berroya’s projects and even introduce new programs that could further enhance the performance of the agency.

Cruz added that it is possible that the President needs Berroya in other branches of the transportation department.

They also called on other groups to accept the decision of the Chief Executive and give those individuals chosen by the President more time to prove their capabilities.