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?