Reform CTPL, yes, but monopolize?

In the midst of plans to institute what it deems as a “reformed” compulsory third party liability (CTPL) insurance plan, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has stepped on some toes – big toes, in fact.

For starters, we’re talking about the toes of some 65 companies aligned with the Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association (PIRA). Then there’s the Bukluran ng mga Mangagawa sa Industriya ng Seguro (BMIS), an alliance of the insurance industry workers which managed to derail an earlier plan by the Government Service and Insurance System to monopolize the issuance of CTPLs in 2008.

And don’t forget the Insurance Commission (IC), which has also joined the fracas, seeking judicial intervention to stop the LTO from enforcing its monopoly plan.

Continuing issues

Citizens like us who have experienced or heard stories about fake CTPLs that failed to rescue insurance holders from the financial burdens of a motoring accident will agree there is a need to reform the current compulsory insurance system for vehicles.

The CTPL which is a mandatory requirement by the LTO for vehicle registration to protect both the public at large and vehicle owners, has had this implementation from the start fraught with huge issues including tax leakages and nonpayment of taxes.

The insurance industry also failed to curb the proliferation of fake insurance agents which led to fake coverage and rumors of shady dealings with corrupt public officials, reports of overpriced insurance premiums, as well as lost income to government agencies in terms of fees.

Failed measures

Since the CTPL had been mandated in 1975, several attempts and measures had been suggested and implemented to correct and curb the resulting anomalies and problems. All seem to have failed, hence this proposed “reform” by the LTO.

The LTO wants to hog the whole insurance servicing by having just “one company” involved in issuing CTPLs. The anomaly, though, lies in the fact that this “winning” insurer would be parceling out the issuance of CTPLs to other insurers.

However, this most recent measure contained in the LTO circular would seem doomed to failing, much more to open the doors to even more widespread corruption. The LTO, after all, has had an infamous record of failed programs and scandals.

In essence, the current insurers who will be friendly with the LTO-appointed CTPL insurance firm will become re-insurers who definitely will have to charge higher rates to cover the fees they need to pay to become accredited CTPL re-insurers.

Worse, there is no assurance and logic that the other issues that have been associated with the CTPL system will be solved.

Going online, real time

Before this controversial circular that the LTO issued, the IC, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and LTO had signed a tripartite agreement to address all the issues that had plagued the CTPL issue. The solution prescribed was to go online, real time.

Funny but as much as modern business and even other government units have been able to make use of information technology and its cyber highways to get ahead of security issues and improve productivity, the LTO – as the main party responsible for this concern – has failed again.

It has invoked connectivity issues as a reason, but we all know that the real issue may lie elsewhere, perhaps more about the will to make things happen and work. How long will the LTO deny the public this service that will not only make it a more efficient government agency, but one that will really protect the public’s interest.

Lyceum Northwestern U hosts North-Central Luzon NCC games

The 2015 National Collegiate Championship (NCC) North-Central Luzon regional games were held at Dagupan City, and all arrangements were hosted thru the courtesy of Atty. Gonzalo Duque, Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) chancellor.

Coach Joe Lipa, PCCL executive director, congratulated Atty. Duque for the well-organized accommodations and successful completion of series. Atty. Duque and the sports staff of LNU have regularly supported this annual PCCL event.  

The Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) Dukes won the regional competition, outlasting the La Union representative La Finns Scholastica Lion Hearts 88-78 in the finals.

The LNU Dukes dominated the elimination round and completed the sweep by winning the final game. It was the first title for coach Nestor Cesar “Nanoy” Duque, Dukes rookie team mentor.

The other collegiate champions that participated in the North-Central Luzon regional games included Bulacan State U (representing Central Luzon leagues), Cordillera Colleges, University of Vigan, and University of Pangasinan.

Lyceum Northwestern U Dukes as North-Central Luzon champion and Olivares College Dream Hunters as South Luzon-Bicol champion will represent their regions in the NCC Luzon-Metro Manila qualifying games to be held at the TIP Gym, Manila, and FAITH Gym, Tanauan City, Batangas, on December 9 to 13.

Other participants in the qualifying games series are Mapua Cardinals and JRU Heavy Bombers from NCAA, National U Bulldogs from UAAP, St. Clare College of NAASCU, Technical Institute of the Philippines, and PATTS.

The two winners of Luzon-Metro Manila qualifying games will advance to National Collegiate Championship Elite Eight phase, which starts on December 14, 2015 at FAITH Gym, Tanauan City.

The Elite Eight phase will be a knock-out “losers go home” games until one team remains and is declared 2015 National Collegiate Champion. Already in the Elite Eight are NCAA champion Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights, UAAP champion FEU Tamaraws, CESAFI champion University of San Carlos, NCAA runner-up San Beda College Red Lions, and UAAP runner-up University of Santo Tomas.

Still to be determined are the Vis-Min qualifying games winner and two Luzon-Metro Manila qualifying games winners.

The National Collegiate Championship (NCC) is sponsored by ABS-CBN, Philippine Star, Molten Balls, Fil-Oil Flying V Sports, Fog City Creamery, and Foccacia. Tickets for the Elite Eight games are available at SM Tickets online.

Visit www.ChampionsChampionsLeague.net for more details about the nationwide competitions.  

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