BARMM LTO eyes automated service expansion, 10-year license validity

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is seeking to expand the automated services of the Bangsamoro Land Transportation Office (BLTO) to provide more convenient and accessible services to motorists across the region.

In a meeting with the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) IT partner and BLTO’s technology provider, Stradcom Corporation (STRADCOM), in Quezon City on Tuesday, MOTC Minister Termizie Masahud underscored the need for additional LTO sites in far-flung areas of BARMM, particularly in Lamitan, Basilan, and Maguindanao. The MOTC is also planning to establish its first BLTO regional office in Cotabato City.

The BLTO currently operates district offices in Cotabato, Marawi, Maguindanao, and Wao; a licensing center in Cotabato; and an extension office in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi — all interconnected through the LTO-IT System.

In November 2021, the MOTC and STRADCOM entered into an agreement to automate land transportation systems in BARMM and interconnect its database with the LTO Central Office. The partnership also ensured the authenticity and validity of documents such as driver’s licenses and motor vehicle registrations issued by the BLTO.

To date, the LTO-IT System has processed over 110,000 driver’s licenses, registered more than 36,000 motor vehicles, and recorded nearly 4,000 traffic adjudication reports in BARMM.

STRADCOM Vice President and Head for Auxiliary Services and Project Development Luis Angelo Ibarra affirmed the company’s continued commitment to supporting the MOTC’s transportation initiatives, including network expansion.

“STRADCOM is not merely a technology provider but a partner of the BARMM in advancing progress and development in the region,” Ibarra said.

Aside from the LTO-IT System rollout, STRADCOM also developed the BLTO Renewal Kiosk (BRK), which was deployed at the Cotabato District Office. The kiosk enables self-service motor vehicle registration renewals within 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, MOTC and STRADCOM officials also discussed the adoption of the 10-year driver’s license validity in BARMM, which would extend the current five-year validity period. This policy aligns with the LTO Central Office’s driver’s license issuance system. STRADCOM confirmed that the initiative could be implemented through the existing LTO-IT system.

Also present during the meeting were MOTC Deputy Minister Muhammad Ameen Abbas; MOTC Director General Atty. Roslainie Macao-Maniri; BLTO Director Razul Gayak; BLTO Legal Officer Atty. Lyzzaik Laguialam; and BLTO MID Chief Julkifli Pangandaman.

STRADCOM officials in attendance included Chief Finance Officer Cecille Carrasco; AVP/OIC for LuzViMinda Sector Raymond Valentin; AVP/Senior Liaison and Head of Core Service Group David Yumiaco; AVP for Data Privacy, Commercial Affairs, and Corporate Communications Atty. Dictador Untayao; Board Director Atty. Josephine Pagdanganan; and Core Services Group Manager and Team Lead for the Mindanao Cluster Genevieve Orillo.