A network of digital advocates said today that the Office of the Ombudsman’s order to disengage from Stradcom risks massive service distuptions to services provided by the Land Transportation Office.
Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo said that while Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s objective of ensuring that the LTO system will be placed under full government control, he cautioned that an abrupt disengagement from Stradcom may create consequences if unresolved LTMS turnover and transition issues remain.
“We are one in the objective that systems being used by the government should be owned by the government. However, a deeper look into the current situation at the LTO suggests that an abrupt disengagement from Stradcom may cause more harm than good if unresolved LTMS turnover and transition issues remain.”
According to Gustilo, the immediate priority should be ensuring that the LTO possesses all the resources necessary to independently operate and secure the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS).
“The bigger issue is ensuring that the LTO is equipped with all the manpower, tools, resources, documentation, technical support, and system components necessary to independently secure, operate and maintain the LTMS. If there are still outstanding turnover obligations or unresolved transition issues, these must be addressed immediately.”
Gustilo stressed that its position is not about preserving dependency on any private contractor, but about ensuring a smooth and secure transition that protects public service delivery and the personal information of millions of Filipino motorists.
“What we are asking for is a practical transition. LTO cannot be expected to abruptly abandon one system while unresolved questions remain regarding source code, administrative access, technical documentation, operational tools, and its ability to independently operate and secure the LTMS.” Gustilo added.
Gustilo likewise emphasized that the LTMS is a public system funded by taxpayers and should ultimately be fully controlled and managed by the government.
“The LTMS is not Dermalog’s system. It is the Filipino people’s system. Before any major transition is completed, the public deserves assurance that the government possesses everything necessary to fully operate, secure, and control a platform that contains the personal information of millions of Filipinos,” Gustilo said.
