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The Information Technology provider of the Land Transportation
Office (LTO), Stradcom Corp., could be in serious trouble after
Alberto Suansing, the agency’s newly appointed chief, expressed
dissatisfaction over the company’s dismal performance.
Suansing also ordered the revocation of all its
deputations to apprehend, except those issued to the traffic
personnel of the Northern and Southern Luzon expressways, including
the Skyway.
“Four out of five complaints I am receiving
while I was still at the DOTC [Department of Transportation and
Communications] had something to do with Stradcom,” Suansing, who
was formerly a special assistant at the department, told reporters.
The new LTO chief is planning to have
Stradcom’s contract reviewed to find out if the company violated
some provisions in its contract.
“One of my goals as chief of the LTO is to
make this agency as client-friendly as possible, wherein there are
no delays in transactions brought by systems breakdown,” he added.
It was on December 15, 1997, that Stradcom was
awarded the contract to construct and operate the LTO’s
information technology infrastructure.
Efren de Luna, president of the Alliance of
Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), welcomed Suansing’s
move.
“I have been a witness to the incompetence of
the company,” de Luna said. He also disclosed Stradcom is planning
to impose a P10 increase in computer fees for the LTO’s clients.
Lawyer Eric Pilapil, vice-president for legal
and corporate affairs at Stradcom, said the company has been
continuously conducting upgrades all over the country especially in
urban areas or areas with large demands.
Stradcom also said in a statement that
occasional system failures are just isolated cases, and power
failure is also to blame.
Besides Stradcom, ACTO also wants Amalgamated
Motors Philippines Inc. replaced. That company manufactures the
licenses of drivers, but ACTO said the plastic cards used is of poor
quality.
Suansing revokes deputations
The revocation of LTO deputations was the first
order issued by Suansing since he took over the agency’s top post
on January 31, replacing Reynaldo Berroya. Suansing said he already
instructed lawyer Jimmy Pesigan, LTO executive assistant, to draft
the formal order on the matter.
“Starting Saturday, all LTO deputation are now
canceled,” he said.
The LTO chief issued the order after receiving
various complaints from hundreds of individuals through text
messages, including a complaint from Trade and Industry
Undersecretary Zeny Maglaya on the mulcting activities of personnel
deputized by the agency.
Suansing clarified that the agency will issue
new deputations and those who will be deputized must undergo a
selection process.
-- Jefferson Antiporda
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