Transport groups slam exorbitant LTO service fees on LTMS platform

By Rio N. Araja

DRIVERS and operators belonging to the National Public Transport Coalition (NPTC) on Sunday hit the new foreignmade information technology platform of the Land Transportation Office’s Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) for charging “enormous service fees” to the motoring public.

At a media interview, NPTC national convenor Ariel Lim said the LTO charges drivers, vehicle owners, auto dealers and operators a minimum of P75 per transaction when paying through the LTMS. The service fees are allocated for the online portal’s accredited payment gateway, Paynamics.

Instead of providing convenience, the LTMS has become an added financial burden to the motoring public, especially to the low-income public utility vehicle drivers, Lim lamented.

Since the government owns the LTMS, the public must not be charged additional fees, he said, citing the sys- tem could be used as a money-making scheme and a vehicle for corruption. said Bello.

He questioned if the selection for the payment with the gateway partner went through a proper bidding and accreditation.

The basis of the price for a service fee as it is higher than the usual rate of P25 to P45, apart from the P75 service charge.

Bello meanwhile said that the situation in Taiwan is normal and the safety of overseas Filipinos there has been assured by the Taiwanese government amid tensions with neighboring China.

Bello said that the Philippine government is looking after the welfare and well-being of Filipinos there, while noting that Taiwan is prepared to protect not only its citizens but foreigners as well in case of an emergency.

The National Police Agency of Taiwan has also made an assurance that Filipinos there would be secured and protected, he added.