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LTO Enforces Microchip Identification Program Amid Protests
source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/180738/lto-enforces-microchip-identification...
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) started implementing on Monday its controversial radio frequency-based ID system for all registered vehicles, despite protests by militant groups who said it violates motorists' privacy.
Under the LTO's radio frequency identification (RFID) program, all motorists must install stickers containing a microchip that stores information about them and their vehicles.
George San Mateo, secretary-general of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston), said the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) had been misinformed.
He was reacting to CHR chairman Leila de Lima’s statement that the RFID program appears to have proper safeguards to prevent violation of privacy "at least in theory."
In an interview on radio dzXL before joining a picket at the LTO office in Quezon City, San Mateo urged allied militant groups to encourage motorists to join protests against the RFID program.
But LTO chief Arturo Lomibao allayed fears that the RFID program would violate motorists' privacy, saying that the only information about the owner of the vehicle that will be available are his name and the organization he belongs to.
"Wala po yung tinatawag nating invasion of privacy (There would be no invasion of privacy)," he told GMA News' Unang Hirit, adding that other data that would be known through the microchip program are information on the vehicle type, build and plate number.
The tags will last 10 years, and will be made available to at least 4.76 million vehicles. The LTO believes the microchip program will help the government solve car theft and other transport-related cases faster than the old method, since it would allow the agency to easily detect anomalies in vehicle information.
In response to militant groups' allegation that the P350 fee for the microchip was overpriced, Lomibao said: "Pinag-aralang mabuti 'yan at ayon sa DOTC it was fair and reasonable (That was studied thoroughly, and according to the Department of Transportation and Communications it was fair and reasonable)."
Lomibao said he expects all vehicles to have the stickers containing the microchip by the end of October.
Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares admitted there was not much that could be done to stop the the RFID program.
Piston and Bayan Muna are among the petitioners asking the Supreme Court to block the RFID program.
"We have to wait for the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO). Unfortunately, until the TRO comes out, we cannot do anything legally," Colmenares told a separate interview on dzXL in Filipino.
"But there will be no let-up in the protest actions of citizens, drivers, and concerned civil libertarians against the RFID," he added. — with Johanna Camille Sisante/LBG/NPA, GMANews.TV
