LTFRB, LTO transitions to "new normal" with use of online, cashless transactions

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As the country make adjustments for the “new normal,” amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) health crisis, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO), is pushing for technological innovations that will lessen human intervention and physical contact in agency transactions.

Starting 16 June 2020, the LTFRB will launch, in the National Capital Region, its latest initiative: the Public Transport Online Processing System (PTOPS). This system, which is still on pilot testing and for consultation with stakeholders from June 1-15, will allow transactions to be made online - making LTFRB services faster and accessible for all its stakeholders. This, however excludes the publication and hearing of cases.

In partnership with PISOPAY.COM, the PTOPS not only aims to make transactions faster and more convenient, but also aims to ensure that physical distancing will be continuously observed, as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Using PTOPS, a user can easily create an account, select the type of transaction, and schedule an appointment online with the LTFRB.

Aside from helping to curb the spread of COVID-19, the new system also prevents opportunities for corrupt practices as there is now lessened human intervention.

"Kailangan na po nating masanay na ito na ang magiging normal simula ngayon. We are making our services accessible at the comfort of your homes and we have to adapt to this new reality. In this way, we lower the risk of possible virus transmission,” LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said.

To recall, aside from PTOPS, the DOTr is also championing the implementation of safety protocols by promoting cashless transactions or digital payments as part of the “new normal.”

The Department has encouraged various digital payment providers to make their services available to transport operators and drivers to pave the way for cashless or contactless transactions in public transportation, such as taxis and transport network vehicle services (TNVS). Additionally, the LTFRB had also directed the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags on all public utility vehicles (PUVs) plying expressways and tollways.

For its part, the LTO said the “new normal” procedures will also be practiced in various transactions made with the agency through the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS).

Through the system, anyone can process their transactions online with the LTO to include driver/conductor’s application for renewal of license, requests for revision of records, and requests for Certificate of No Apprehension.

For settlement of traffic violations, motorists with admitted cases may settle their violations outright by paying fines at any LTO District Office Cashier or via electronic payment channels and online banking.

Meanwhile, for contested cases, motorists can submit their position papers online through the LTMS. Notification of hearing schedule and settlement updates will then be sent through electronic mail (e-mail) and through a portal dashboard.

According to LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar C. Galvante, the LTMS is currently on pilot test at some LTO offices which are under the general community quarantine (GCQ).

“We are doing the pilot-test at 24 LTO Offices to iron-out the technical glitches, and thus ensure that everything will run smoothly. Once all are in place, the LTMS will be implemented in all LTO offices nationwide,” Asec. Galvante said.

“The LTMS will limit human intervention so as to comply with the safety protocol advised by health authorities. Aside from this, I encourage everyone to be a responsible motorist so that our roads will be safer and settlements will be less. In this way, we can contribute to the faster healing process of our country,” Galvante emphasized.

Instituto Cervantes programs a videoconference on Magellan’s arrival to the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On June 13, at 6pm, Instituto Cervantes de Manila presented a videoconference on the first circumnavigation of the world. The guest speaker was Tomás Mazón, a specialist on the topic and creator of the website La Primera Vuelta al Mundo (rutaelcano.com).

Interest in the historical Magellan-Elcano expedition is growing in the Philippines, particularly because the country was part of this voyage when the Magellan landed in the Archipelago in 1521. Many of the details of what happened are well known, but others remain obscure. In his talk, titled “Magellan & Elcano in the Philippines: Details in the historical archives”, Tomás Mazón will present the results of his research from the archived sources and the chronicles to complete or clarify the account of what happened.

Although an engineer by profession, Tomás Mazón has devoted his time to research on various articles on this topic. He regularly publishes the results of his research in his website.

The videoconference, presented by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, was held on the Zoom platform and was conducted in Spanish, but simultaneous translation in English will be provided. The audience were able to interact with the speaker by submitting their questions during the event. Admission was free on a first-come, first served basis. For further information and updates about this event, please check out http://manila.cervantes.es or Instituto Cervantes’ Facebook page: www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila

DOH, FDCP, DOLE Issue Guidelines for Film and Audiovisual Work Amid COVID-19

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Health (DOH), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have joined forces to release guidelines for the resumption of production work and activities in the film and audiovisual industry amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

The "Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2020-001 on the Health and Safety Protocols for the Conduct of Film and Audiovisual Production Shoots and Audiovisual Activities During COVID-19 Pandemic" was signed with immediate effectivity on June 7, 2020 by FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III, and DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III.

"These guidelines, drafted in consultation with professional guilds and stakeholders, prioritize the health and safety of our film and audiovisual workers as they slowly resume operations," said Diño-Seguerra. "As the film and audiovisual industry is part of the country's hardest-hit business sector due to COVID-19, it is empowering that our lead government agencies are working with the FDCP to support industry members in transitioning to the new normal of performing their works while ensuring a safe environment amidst the pandemic."

The Order covers all film and audiovisual companies; workers regardless of employment status (including contractors and freelancers); all contents (including motion picture, film, television, animation, and advertising); all stages of production (including pre-production, principal photography, and post-production); all venues of production (including locations, production and animation studios, workplaces, production sites, and post-production facilities); and all others concerned with the conduct of film and audiovisual production shoots in all stages.

In the absence of a vaccine and definitive cure, producers and employers are required to comply with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and DOH minimum health standards for COVID-19 mitigation by increasing the physical and mental resilience of workers, stopping transmission, reducing contact rate, and shortening the duration of infectiousness.

With sectors slowly returning to work as we jumpstart our economy, the risk of COVID-19 affecting our population remains. "These minimum health and safety protocols will ensure that our workers in the film and audiovisual industry are protected. Furthermore, by implementing these guidelines we likewise ensure that this protection extends to their families and communities," the Health Secretary said.

Among the mandatory control measures that promote the safety and health of workers are the following:

1. Reduce the number of workers and create alternative work arrangements. A maximum of 50 workers only shall be allowed to work in production sites.

2. Modify necessary revisions of scripts and production executions without sacrificing health safety measures.

3. Maintain physical distancing.

4. Employ engineering controls to limit physical contact and personal hygiene.

There must be handwashing stations, footbath mats in all entrances, and physical barriers in common areas. The sanitation of workplaces and production or shooting sites, as well as the disinfection of equipment, wardrobe, props, and vehicles must be done regularly. There must also be a designated COVID-19 isolation area in locations and workplaces for all stages of production.

5. Enforce effective implementation of JAO through Administrative controls.

Producers and employers must disseminate all COVID-19 health and safety protocols to workers and must plan their work and productions to comply with the requirements of the Joint Administrative Order. Safety orientations must be conducted before the resumption of production work.

6. Proper use of PPEs.

Workers must wear their personal protective equipment (PPE) like surgical masks, face shields, and gloves at all times. They should also use alcohol or hand sanitizer religiously, on top of washing their hands properly. Producers and employers must provide an ample supply of PPE and alcohol or hand sanitizer.

In order to ensure compliance with the minimum standards of the JAO and the occupational safety and health (OSH) of workers, an OSH Officer must be present in workplaces and production sites at all times.

Vulnerable population groups composed of pregnant women, senior citizens, and those with underlying health conditions are discouraged from working on production sites as they have a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. The producer or employer must develop agreements that detail alternative work arrangements and deliverables from these workers with no diminution in talent fees or benefits.

Aside from ensuring the strict compliance of industry stakeholders, the Order also provides for the Safe Filming Program which will give information on working safely in the Philippines by creating a resource website with the guidelines, systems, resources, forms, documents, issuances, updates, and best practices from international film commissions.

FDCP-DOH-DOLE Joint Administrative Order No. 2020-001 was published on June 7, 2020 in a newspaper of general circulation. The complete text of the Order can be accessed here.