Road safety watchdogs, transport industry groups and accredited IT providers expressed full support for the Commission on Audit (COA) report calling for the full implementation of the Land Transportation Management System nationwide.
The DOTr on Dec. 2, 2024 released the COA 2023 annual audit report findings where auditors flagged the Land Transportation Office’s continued charging of P203.1 million fees for the use of the old IT system of Stradcom Corp. in the last four months of 2023 despite the completion and delivery of the P8.227 billion Land Transportation Management System (LTMS).
The auditors said the LTO already issued a certificate of completion and final acceptance for the LTMS project as of Dec. 17, 2021.
Augustus Ferreria, president of the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), said his group endorses the full implementation of LTMS.
“The system brings with it modernization, transparency and above all, efficient public service not just to our members, but more importantly to the country’s motorists. The LTMS not only represents a significant technological leap but also assures a corruption-free environment—a vital factor in any national progressive goal. This move reflects a genuine commitment to enhancing the experience of owning a motor vehicle and we at AAP stand firmly in support of the government’s efforts,” said Ferreria.
Diolito Inosanto Jr., president of Federated Land Transport Organization of the Philippines (FELTOP) said they support the DOTR 2023 audit report citing the necessity for 100-percent LTMS use in all LTO offices nationwide.
“The removal of the computer fees and the improved efficiency provided by LTMS in the registration renewal process has been very beneficial to our members. The LTMS is truly a worthwhile modernization project of the President Bongbong Marcos administration,” said Inosanto.
Martin de los Angeles, vice president of the Philippine Transport Monitor (Philtram) said they felt the improvements brought about by LTMS in terms of faster drivers’ licenses and motor vehicle renewals.
“We are glad that the DOTR audit report recognizes the need for 100 percent usage of LTMS, especially since it is the government-owned system which brings millions of savings to the motoring public,” said de los Angeles.
Carlo Reyes , chief executive of Vox Dei Protocol Systems Inc. said the performance of LTMS is outstanding and highly commendable.
“The system allows the 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 through automation and technology,” said Reyes.
The COA auditors blamed the inability of the LTO to fully utilize the billion-peso LTMS for imposing an “additional burden and expense to the transacting public for paying the computer IT fees charged by Stradcom Corp,” noting that this could have been avoided had the LTMS been fully functioning.
“Validation of the status of management’s implementation of the audit recommendations thereon showed that the old IT system is still in use and its provider was still generating huge income from the computer IT fees paid by the public …in catering the LTO’s services,” the COA said.
The audit team noted that LTO management previously issued assurances to the House committee on transportation that full utilization of the LTMS would be implemented no later than Aug. 30, 2023.
