Full LTMS control a must — report

The Land Transportation Office, or LTO, must acquire in full the digital system from German contractor Dermalog and have it used in full, the LTO's Management Information Division, or MID, has recommended to the agency's head.

Documents furnished Daily Tribune stated the need for a 100 percent utilization of the Land Transport Management Systems, or LTMS, the digitalization project for motorist licensing services.

In a briefing memo issued to LTO Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II last 22 November, the MID said a full transition and utilization of the LTMS is the only way to enable the LTO to have full control of the information technology system and secure independence from the contractor amid its efforts to provide the maintenance services of the system for a fee.

The four-page briefing memo was signed by LTO-MID acting chief Joseph Paul Petilla, Carlos Nicholas Vasquez, chief of the LTO's Client Care and Technical Support Section; Rodinio Ramos, chief of the Records Sectionand Claudio Bonsol Jr., chief of the LTO's Computer Section.

"The P3.5 billion LTMS, MID said, being a government-owned system, presents several advantages over the previous LTO I.T System, which was owned by a private company, and has been in use since 1981," MID's briefing memo added.

"By transitioning to LTMS, we regain control and independence over our system, ensuring greater data security, privacy, and flexibility in managing our operations," MID explained.

The report said "government ownership of LTMS aligns perfectly with our commitment to public accountability and transparency."

"Moreover, it is noteworthy that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is actively pursuing digitalization efforts," the LTO-MID said.

Aligns with digital thrust

"The full utilization of LTMS aligns perfectly with these endeavors, as it represents a cornerstone of digital transformation. By embracing LTMS, we contribute to the President's vision of a modernized, efficient, and technology-driven government,"  according to the report.

"It is our duty to support and accelerate this digital revolution, leveraging LTMS as a catalyst for positive change and progress," the division urged.

The LTO MID said that while there were some issues and challenges in the full transition to the LTMS, these should not hinder the LTO from pushing towards 100 percent utilization of the new system.

"It is important to note that LTMS, like any other I.T. project, may not be a perfect system. However, the advantages of a government-owned system, the progress made in delivering LTMS, and the challenges we face with data migration and system completion should not overshadow the immense potential and benefits that LTMS could bring to the agency, its clients and stakeholders,"  the report pointed out.