Catanduanes Forum

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the use of an object (typically referred to as an RFID tag) applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.

Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuit for storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency (RF) signal, and other specialized functions. The second is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal.

There are generally three types of RFID tags: active RFID tags, which contain a battery and can transmit signals autonomously, passive RFID tags, which have no battery and require an external source to provoke signal transmission and battery assisted passive (BAP) which require an external source to wake up but have significant higher forward link capability providing great read range.

Today, RFID is used in enterprise supply chain management to improve the efficiency of inventory tracking and management.

In the Philippines , some schools already use RFID in IDs for borrowing books and also gates in that particular schools have RFID ID Scanners. These Schools are Claret School of Quezon City , Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Other private Schools.

In defense of RFID
By: Asec. Arturo C. Lomibao

THE media made me the “flavor of the week” so to speak because of the controversial RFID, a project that is about to be implemented by the LTO.

The issues raised include the legality of the project, its cost and possible invasion of privacy. What exactly is the RFID? What benefits, if any, can a vehicle owner derive from it? Is this a spy gadget, as human rights activists would put it? Or is it a GPS gadget that can pinpoint the location of philandering husbands?

Will it really address the perennial problem of traffic congestion, carnapping, and non-appearance of vehicles for inspection by PETCs (Private Emission Testing Centers)? Will it solve or reduce the problems on colorum and out-of-line-operations? Is this not a duplication of the LTO registration process? What other countries, if any, are already using it?

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification system. It transmits the identity of an object using radio frequency waves. In the case of the LTO RFID, it involves a tag, a reader, and a data base.

The tag which will be mounted on the inside part of the windshield acts as a transmitter and relays information from the LTO Central Database to the handheld readers used by authorized enforcers or to the fixed readers installed overhead where motorists pass. On scanning the tag, the following information regarding the vehicle can be assessed:

The RFID tag will contain the MV File Number, Engine Number, Chassis Number, Plate Number, MV Type, Color, Make, Series, Year Model, Body Type, MV Classification, Owner Name, Last Registration Date, Alarms (both settled and unsettled), and Franchise and Route (if For Hire Vehicle).

The system is an enhancement of existing modules under the LTO-IT Project. Its implementation is governed by Department of Transportation and Communications Department Circular No. 2009-06, which took effect on July 7, 2009, Land Transportation Office Memorandum Circular No. ACL-2009-1199 which reinforces the rules and regulations of the DoTC circular and to better ensure compliance with Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act of 1999.

RFID reduces pollution by ensuring emissions testing compliance. Tagged vehicles that are found non-compliant with environmental standard will be banned from the streets, effectively reducing the amount of harmful pollutants released into the environment.

RFID is expected to enhance law enforcement on the streets and traffic management as it allows for real-time access to vital information from the LTO database which will be indispensable for the effective implementation of traffic rules and regulations. It will thus be easier to identify vehicles that have existing alarms or apprehensions. Likewise, franchise and route details for PUVs can be accessed via RFID, a move expected to nip colorum vehicles in the bud.

RFID will serve as a deterrent to carnapping since each RFID tag is specifically attuned to the unique information for any given vehicle. It will make the vehicular registration process faster and more efficient as it eliminates the need for data encoding in the vehicular inspection process. Yes, it is mandatory as owners of previously-registered vehicles and new motor vehicles are to secure RFID tags during their scheduled registration or renewal effective Oct. 1, 2009. A one-time fee of P350 will be charged per tag which is durable enough to ensure that the vehicle owner will enjoy its benefits through the vehicle’s lifetime, pegged at 10 years.

(Given how the RFID is an enhancement of the functionality of several modules under the LTO-IT Project, the LTO is entitled to P20.43 from every tagging fee collected).

South Africa, Bermuda, Brazil, China, Dubai, India, Mexico and some states in the USA close to the border of Canada and Mexico are using this system.

LTO records show that this project dates back to 2007 when Stradcom, the sole IT provided of LTO, presented it before top officials. The idea went through legal, commercial, and technical studies that finally convinced then LTO chief Bert Suansing to recommend its approval on Jan. 22, 2009.

Despite the opposition from some quarters, Dick Pascual of the Philippine Star in his column Postscript on September 24 stated that “the RFID system is so simple it took transport authorities many years to adopt it. The system will help ease traffic, catch unregistered and stolen vehicles, speed up registration and other RF-aided processes like tool collection, boost the anti-air pollution campaign, and assist the police fight crimes perpetrated with the use of motor vehicles…and since an RFID is mandatory for registration and physically bringing the vehicle for tests is required, the new system would kill the racket of some emission testing centers issuing clearances even without actual smoke testing.”

(Incidentally, I have suspended operations of 11 PETCs for the offense of non-appearance). Mr. Pascual ended up by stating that “In this country where anything ‘opposable’ will surely be opposed and where TROs are a dime-a-dozen, expect some resistance.”

Last Feb. 11, transport leaders met in Cebu and endorsed the project. Among them were Vigor Mendoza, now representative of 1-Utak party-list, Zenaida Maranan of FEJODAP, Boy Vargas of ALTODAP, Efren de Luna of ACTO, Orlando Marquez of LTOP, Ryan Yu of Cebu Integrated Transport Services; Richard Cabucos of Metro Cebu Taxi Operator Association, Elizabeth Katalbas of Western Visayas Transport Services, Virgilio Valmoria of Mindanao Coordinator Transporter, and Isabelo Rubio Sr. of ZATLIP Zamboanga.

They supported the RFID because “it will greatly benefit the transport sector specifically on the area of law-enforcement.” “Once the project is fully implemented, incidence of law enforcers harassing our drivers and operators would now be reduced if not totally eliminated, thereby allowing the drivers and operator to maximize their respective earning. We believe that the one-time cost of the RFID is reasonable enough,” they added.

References:

wikipedia.org
www.journal.com.ph