LTO defers Radio Frequency Identification project

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office has deferred the implementation of the controversial Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) project to allow for further public consultations.

LTO chief Arturo Lomibao made the announcement yesterday after a consultation meeting with various groups, including those who opposed the program.

Lomibao proposed that the RFID, also known as electronic tagging, should be first implemented on government vehicles to set an example and allay fears that the project would be used by government to spy on citizens.

He proposed that the vehicle tagging be made voluntary from October to December this year. “But all of these are just my recommendations. We would have to await the final word of (Transportation) Secretary (Leandro) Mendoza on this. Pending the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) decision, the consultations would continue and we would try to reach as many as we can,” Lomibao added.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Alberto Suansing said it’s not true that the LTO surprised the public with the RFID project since it was tested in 2008 when he was then LTO administrator.

Suansing said the DOTC and the National Economic and Development Authority had scrutinized the project, causing the delay in implementation.

Leaders of transport organizations – specifically the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) head Efren de Luna and Liga ng Transport Opereytors sa Pilipinas president Orlando Marquez – supported the implementation of RFID project.

De Luna said that he had participated in the previous public consultations initiated by the LTO.   – Perseus Echeminada