The author said yes!

As the controversy over the LTO-initiated RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) project rages with many motorists and motor vehicle owners reportedly up in arms against it, finding its added cost for registration as additional taxation, there’s actually a glimmer of hope in the horizon for a “win, win” situation for everyone concerned.

As you may already know or probably even not, the LTO has just implemented the collection of additional fees to cover for IT expenses (not specified) from those registering their motor vehicles and those that are renewing their registration now. The increased fees are believed to already cover the purchase and installation of controversial RFID tags, which has been vehemently opposed by some transport groups and vehicle owners as well.

The LTO claims that these RFID tags can give them ease in the determination of a vehicle’s status, whether unregistered, colorum, out-of-line, “hot car” or stolen vehicle, etc. The radio signal transmitted by the RFID immediately gives them all these vital info electronically thus they can readily flag down any vehicle with discrepancy for further verification.

Opposition to the implementation of the project is based on varied contentions – its an illegal additional taxation, the project has been awarded without prior public bidding, the system can be used to “spy” on people’s whereabouts and routes, which is basically against people’s human right to privacy, its an additional burden to the already overburdened public utility vehicle driver or operator, to name a few.

In search for a possible solution to the problem, I asked the principal author of the “Road Users’ Tax”, Congressman Danilo Suarez of the 3rd District of the province of Quezon if the cost of the project could be accessed from the coffers of the Road Users’ Fund considering that the objective of the project is for the overall wellness of the motoring public. And after a few days of study, he categorically said “yes”.

According to Congressman Suarez, “In the law that mandated the obligatory collection of added taxes upon the registration of motor vehicles, there is an appropriation of 7.5 % from the funds collected, that shall be used for traffic signals, road safety and other similar concerns that are relevant to the wellness of road users.” The opinion of the veteran legislator, who was the brains behind the bill, which was the basis of the “Road Users’ Tax” is that the objectives for the installation of RFID can be part of such appropriation.

With the LTO’s resolve to achieve what the RFID can deliver facing such great obstacles like transport groups’ resistance and also that of the general motoring public, the best that the LTO can do is present the project instead to the “Road Board”, which manages the “Road Users’ Fund” to unburden the vehicle-owners additional taxation over what they are already shelling out for the Road Users’ Tax.

If the funding would be approved by the Road Board, the other issues surrounding the RFID project such as the actual absence of a NEDA review necessary for any government measure that would entail additional taxes from the public, the awarding of such multi-million project without the benefit of a public bidding, the perception that considering that the main objectives of the installation of the RFID is within the mandated task of the LTO (like determining if a public utility vehicle were a colorum or out of line) and should be solely funded by the LTO instead of passing on the burden to the citizens, or the RFID tag itself being overpriced from a cost of P80 to P350, would easily be addressed by the Road Board itself.

The saga of the embattled “RFID Project” continues with the reported firm and unwavering resolve of some party-list congressmen to seek a TRO from no less than the Supreme Court against the project’s implementation.

More questions about the RFID

After this column came out last week with the RFID project being its lead article, I was contacted by a number of concerned parties that posed a lot of questions regarding the now high profiled controversial project, to wit;

“Is it true that a small opening would have to be cut out of the vehicle’s tinted front windshield before the RFID tag is installed to render it functioning? Is this because the RFID tags cannot work in the presence of anything that works against ultra-violet rays?

If this were true I just wonder what would they do to vehicles, especially high end imported ones, that have factory installed or sprayed tint that you cannot cut through? How would they make the RFID tags work on these vehicles?

Is it true that nowhere in the IT contract between the LTO and Stradcom can you find a definite clause that says the supply the RFID tags and the running of its system is part and parcel of what Stradcom would supply and therefore would not need any public bidding for the project?

The logical contention would be if there were no such clause then this project is entirely not within the existing contract and there should be a public bidding.

Is it true that the RFID system would take several years to be set up entirely and completely, which is way after the end of the present contract with Stradcom? Would this be tantamount to having a pre approval of the IT providers’ contract if not, all it has to do is to pull out all its database and programs, which would render the system unusable and useless?

We just hope the LTO doesn’t find itself a “willing hostage” in a situation like this, if it were true.

And how true is it that nowhere in the contract of the LTO with Stradcom does it state that all the database and programs that were generated while the supply services are being performed would be the sole property of the LTO?

If that were true, the LTO would find itself up the “sewage creek” if and when the IT provider decides to say adios.

The saga continues.

Opportunity to learn for free!

It started last Saturday afternoon, January 9 and will go on for several Saturdays until necessary – free seminar for motorcycle riders and automobile drivers.

“This is the advocacy program being implemented by the Honda Safety Driving Center Foundation as a response to the rising accident statistics in the country that has gone from worse to worst,” declared Arnel Doria, general manager of HSDC as early as September 2008 when the advocacy program was first offered.

The “hour and a half” free sessions discuss driving “basics” that are unfamiliar even to the most seasoned car drivers and motorcycle riders as observed by HSDC instructors. They include topics like traffic rules and regulations, right of way rule, proper riding attire, managing blind spots and the driving under the influence of alcohol.

 “We are truly glad with how this free seminar is received by the public. The number of attendees, to date – including their feedback – are truly encouraging. We even had participants from as far as Batangas,” recalls HSDC president Katsuhisa Yoda.

If you want to grab this opportunity to make yourself either a safe car driver or motorcycle rider or both, come on any of the following Saturdays, from 4 to 5:30 in the afternoon to HSDC, located at KM 17, East Service Road (near Bicutan Exit), SLEX, Paranaque City.

Special sessions may also be arranged for bigger groups of members of curricular or extra-curricular clubs, drivers and riders organizations. You can call 838-0814.

Hey, grab the opportunity to be a safe driver or rider – for free!

Motoring Tip of the Week

It is the start of the year and almost always it is during this time that we remind those who, for one reason or another, do not follow the manufacturers recommended schedule of maintenance checks and maintenance requirements to go through these checks and must do if they wanted to make their vehicles keep on working for them. If you do this every start of the year chances are you would not forget doing them at all as you would have a time reference point.

So, you can start with your fluids – engine oil, transmission oil, steering fluid, radiator fluid, break fluid, etc. If you find any of your oils dirty have them changed this time of the year than run the risk of not having them changed for two years or so – very bad for your trusty automobile.

Then check your tires – pressure, treads, sidewalls, etc. If you have worn out treads, better have your tires changed before they become unsafe to drive on. If your tires treads wear out unevenly, have a tire rotation.

Whatever, if you are not the type that makes it a point to inspect your vehicle for any maintenance or repair requirements, do it at this time of the year.

Happy Motoring!!!

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