The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) has raised serious concerns over the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) proposed Online Driver’s License Renewal System (ODLRS), particularly its new online medical clearance feature, calling it unsafe, misleading, and prone to abuse.
PMA president Dr. Hector M. Santos emphasized that while technology can streamline processes, medical data must be verified by a licensed physician.
“We are cognizant of the clamor for assistive medical technology gadgets/applications to hasten input of medical data. However, any data to be put in the digital application must be verified by an examining physician,” he said.
According to the PMA, the online system allows applicants to input vital health information — such as blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, and visual acuity — without physical verification. This, they warn, could lead to false reporting, putting both drivers and the riding public at risk.
“The online app would readily accept any entry placed in it and prevents a truthful reporting of the applicant’s physical status. False physical attributes would be detrimental and unsafe for both the drivers and the riding public,” Dr. Santos added.
The PMA urged the LTO to retain the role of accredited medical clinics and licensed physicians in validating medical entries. Such a process ensures accurate and reliable medical clearance for license renewals, preserving public safety.
The PMA also raised concerns about the LTO’s plan to encourage medical clinics to form a separate association for accreditation. The association would issue certificates of good standing for clinics and drivers.
The PMA stressed that any new association must coordinate with it to maintain professional standards. Currently, the PMA accredits physicians and clinics, monitoring continuing medical education without imposing additional costs or burdens on medical practitioners.
Critics, including IT experts and stakeholders, have also described the ODLRS system as confusing and frustrating for applicants.
Reports suggest that the system lacks proper consultation with medical professionals and does not implement clear standards, protocols, or legal safeguards before rollout.
In a final statement, the IT experts urged the LTO to reconsider its approach.
“Instead of launching half-baked platforms, it should focus on improving existing systems that already work. Raise the bar for driver education. Consult stakeholders. Ensure medical safety. And above all, tell the truth,” the experts said.
