Some of The Philippine Government Agency System Sucks!

I am really getting pissed at our Social Security System (SSS). I’ve been trying to check my loan status since December 1, 2009 only to find out that they have rejected my salary loan application because for some reason my surname was suddenly misspelled. If that is the case then how did my employer managed to process my sickness benefit when I got sick last year? This is puzzling to me. This lead me to believe that our governments system is just really there but with NO use. It’s just for the sake of having it.

Afraid of System Change

If the banks can do a database of their clients why cant our government simply create one database source for all of its operation? are they afraid that the Governments employee population will be reduced to almost half if we automate this Government wide Inter Agency database network. There is always the one place that they can base the names, fathers name, mothers name, mothers maiden name and so on… Do you know where this kind of information exists? It lies at the National Statistics Office (NSO), this government agency should lead the pack in automating all the names database because they are the central system. Every information of every Filipino should be there.

Land Transportation Office License Renewal Process

Have you ever tried to renew your drivers license? My guess is yes, is this field familiar to you: Fathers Name:, Mothers Name: how in the hell will my father and my mothers name change? this a classic case of the unnecessary redundant information that they ask for and never use any way. Heck I even tried to change my address and correct my license because I renewed for NON-PRO license and they gave me a PROFFESIONAL Drivers License, So I let it go for the first time until it expired, Its them who made the mistake anyway. Then when its time to renew my license I came to the kiosk offices of the LTO at MRT station-Ayala. It was a quick process but the renewal questionnaire is still the same shit, the still asks for my mothers name and fathers name. When the last step came, that guy from the counter asked me what type of license did I applied for, at least this one reads the information kudos to him, so I told him it was the mistake of LTO that they printed out a professional licensed instead of the no-professional one. In the end the guy never let me renew my license because of the shitty mistake that I did not make. It took me a hell of 4 months before I got that drivers license the first time and they still gave me the wrong license, How fucked up is that system?

So I went to the LTO office where I originally got my license (LTO-BINAN), at least here I only have to take the last step, I a specifically told the guy at the counter to correct the licence type from PROFESSIONAL to NON-PRO becasue that was the one on their system. So hours went by and bam! I got my renewed license and… wait… wait… wait for it… I still got the PROFESSIONAL license and of course I had yell at the whole LTO office because of that stupidity! In LTO, the encoder puts the info on your form to the so called “Computer” if there are any changes/corrections made. But it looks like this job/responsibility is not being done by that guy. All I ask for the LTO is to their job right, give a high quality service. I need you to continuouly improve your process.

Most of you guys are only up to the task whenever there is money involved, can’t we get that out of the system?

NBI

Same process. But at least they are trying to be as quick as possible. The kisok is working fine but It hink they can still improve and make the process faster.

Some Tip for the Government Agencies Planning for Computerization

Try to hire the right company to outsource or try to look at the capabilty of the company bidding for the project. You have those UP computer guys who I think knows what they are talking about. You also have the DOST which I think should be the one providing the technologies you need. At least have them check the company if they can really provide the service needed. Also, let them assess what do you really need to make the process a lot faster. Isn’t that the main reason for employing the latest technology we can afford? Getting the latest technology is useless of you cant use it. Don’t let it rot!

Accept the fact that some employees will be redundfuant because thier task will now be taken care of the computers. Let them go or make them do another task, assess that employees capability can he do other jobs aside from counting the forms?

We are embracing technology to make things cheaper and quicker, not more expensive and much much more slower. GOT IT?

If the government is really serious about having this 1 ID system why not get the NSO involved, and then joined by the BIR since all the people who have jobs has their own TIN. Then all the Government and Private agency needs to ask for on every transaction is the TIN and never again ask to fill-up any unnecessary forms.

What do you think?

I’m Teaching SEO Today!

In a few hours, I’ll be teaching a group of people on how to do SEO. This is not my first time to teach SEO, but this is the first time that I’ll formally teach a group of students in a classroom type environment.

I will post lesson updates and presentation here on my blog so expect a major revamp on the theme and posts on this blog soon.

For any suggestions on how to become a good teacher please leave a comment. Wish me luck guys!

Phil. Charity Foundation Text Scam (Update: Nov. 29, 2010)

Philippine Charity Foundation Text ScamUpdate 25 Nov. 2010: It has been 1 yr. and 6 months since my first post for Philippines Charity Foundation Scams and I can’t believe that this is still an ongoing scam. Modus remains the same but now they are using the name of our president Nonoy Aquino. this is one of the latest text message that you may receive from this number +639263932628:

You just won 760,000,00 pesos from CASINO FILIPINO CENTRAL OFFICE MANILA handog pamasko by (nonoy) AQUINO. DTI permit #2374 series of 2010. To claim ur prize call now. Exec. sec. Christine M. Aguilar.

Another number they use is +639157526347 carrying this message:

Congrats! Ur SIM # had won (780,000.00) from AQUINO CHARITY FOUNDATION pamaskong handog. for more info pls call me now! I’m Atty. MARTIN B. OLIVAR (Info. dept.) Per DTI-NCR Permit # 0779 series of 2010. thank you.

Christmas season is here, more and more scam artist will be on a constant move to look for victims. The warning remains the same – If you did not join any contest its highly unlikely that you won. Times are hard lets not make it harder.

The NTC already sent a warning not to pay attention to this traps and report said scam to them. But how do we report it to them?

So guys, be careful. DO NOT entertain such text scams and alike.

If you happen to receive scam texts messages from Philippine Charity Foundation please leave a comment including the number they used and the actual text message.

Original Post: We are all aware of different text scams here in the Philippines and recently I received one.  The message was from a certain Ms. Michelle Santos of Philippine Charity Foundation.

Here’s the mobile number: 0906 1478346

AUDITORS or PHIL. CHARITY FOUNDATION nforming u that ur sim no. had won php950,000 2nd price winner, drawn last 05/24/2009. NCR DTI #0438 PLS CALL ME NOW Im Ms, MICHELLE SANTOS..

Why is this a scam?

  1. I did not join any type of contest or draw for a Philippine Charity Foundation.
  2. There is no such foundation.
  3. DTI Number is not real.
  4. The scam is all over the web. Philippine Charity Foundation Text Scam

What is the Phil. Government Doing?

I think they are not doing anything to address this problem because its not popular enough and the senators, congressmen and the palace will gain nothing in terms of popularity and media mileage.

Give them a scandal of a popular personality and instantly the senators, government units and NGOs will take action. recent examples are Hayden Kho – Katrina Halili Sex Video, Hayden Kho – Maricar Reyes  Sex Video, Chip Tsao and the not so recent Bembang.com BOOM! Instant stardom.

If only our government will really have the political will and the right moral. Of course their reason of why they cannot accommodate everything is that they are doing a lot of other stuff where they are most needed.

What are the Local Telcos Doing?

Due to the sale of prepaid sim cards and the non-tracking of this sales as to who and where it was purchased. It is relatively easy to buy 100′s of prepaid sim cards for syndicates to use fro scam.

I am also worried that they may be getting our numbers from the Telcos itself as I bet they are being sold as Leads to legit local companies for their telemarketing purposes which is annoying. The NTC should create or impose a law to track each sale of prepaid simcards. They should also create a guideline on selling private numbers to companies. We need a third party verifier and the DO NOT CALL LIST.

I just hope that somewhere there is a good hearted real public servant chosen by the people that will and can change how our government operates. The task is not easy and 1 term is not enough to make an impact to the general overhaul of our Ill system.

By the way, its election season in the Philippines, I’m calling all the deserving aspiring future leaders of our country to come forward. I am now accepting political website campaign design and political seo services. All I require is to show me that you have a good heart and that when you win you will not forget about the people who brought you in that position.

My 2009 Goal

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We all have goals each year. And each year we always try to achieve a better goal than last year.

This year I’m targeting to get a new car.

A fix monthly income of PHP 100k after taxes. That should be enough for leisure and emergency situations.