The ‘Millenior‘ of LTO

“When your leader is willing to adapt to changing times and trends and is open to thinking outside the box, you are in for a guarantee that the agency won’t be left in the dust.

“While much work still needs to be done, it can’t be denied that the LTO has accomplished a lot of improvements in the past three years under the Duterte administration.

When I was a child, my father was the man when it came to technology. Whether it was a new phone or gadget, my father was my go-to guy in helping me assemble new pieces of technology that we were not familiar with at that time.

Now that he’s nearing retirement age, the tables are turned and we switch roles. I’m now more familiar with today’s technology than he is, and I’m the one guiding him on what’s new in today’s world.

It is a commonplace thought that people from older age groups are not as keen on technology, as are the younger generations. A good number of seniors are hesitant to work with electronics and digital technology, preferring to go back to the old ways. Terms such as online systems and social network are not in their vocabulary.

The case, however, is absolutely different for the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Would you believe me if I told you that the current head of the LTO is a 72-year-old? Before signing in as LTO chief, he used to be a Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy chief for Operations and a National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director?

Yes, LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante is now infusing advance technology into LTO’s frontline services to better serve the public. Under his leadership, the LTO has become one of the attached agencies under the Department of Transportation (DoTr) that utilizes high-tech machines and solutions.

That is why I always hear Secretary Tugade say: “Itong matandang ‘to (This old man), he embraces the power of technology. Tatahi-tahimik lang pero masipag at nagde-deliver sa trabaho (He just keeps quiet, but he is hardworking and delivers).”

While much work still needs to be done, it can’t be denied that the LTO has accomplished a lot of improvements in the past three years under the Duterte administration.

Just last week, LTO was recognized by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) for hitting the P1 billion mark in online payments with its new online payment system. Users can now go online to schedule their vehicle registrations. Driver’s licenses that were previously distributed in the form of paper receipts are now being rolled out as actual cards with security features to combat counterfeit.

Also, recently, LTO launched its new Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Building, where digital transactions and self-renewal kiosks are housed.

Along with all these advancements, Assistant Secretary Galvante is even spearheading the use of technology to further systematize the issuance of exams in LTO, through the use of facial recognition features and technology-based system for assigning questions.

And did I forget to mention that the LTO currently harnesses a plate-making robot in its new plate-manufacturing facility?

Galvante is not your typical senior. He is what we call a “millenior,” a seasoned senior with the openness and gusto of a millennial. He embraces technology. He embraces change. In fact, when the DoTr first called on attached agencies to develop their digital media and public assistance offices, the LTO was among the first agencies to respond and organize theirs.

As the old adage goes, the only constant thing in life is change. And when your leader is willing to adapt to changing times and trends and is open to thinking outside the box, you are in for a guarantee that the agency won’t be left in the dust.

Technology is all about change, and here we are in 2019, with the LTO leading the charge in providing swift and efficient road transport service to our countrymen through digitalization.

I am certain that a “millenior” like Galvante will get the job done for the Filipino people.