"RFID's potentials are very wide. It is tamper-proof, a permanent identification for vehicles," Dizon says, claiming the system could address the problems of "colorum" vehicles (unregistered public transport), assist in law enforcement by serving as deterrent to crimes such as carnapping, smuggling, and illegal switching of plate numbers.

LTO believes the system will be an effective tool in land transport planning and traffic management. It will also provide protection to commut ers since it can automatically identify and verify franchise records of public utility vehicles (PUV).

And besides solving traffic woes, Dizon adds RFID technology can also address concerns on air pollution as it ensures road worthiness of vehicles and strict compliance with the Clean Air Act by eradicating the practice of "non appearance" in emission testing centers.

"A lot of things can be unified by using RFID. Just like in Singapore where one card can be used as payment for gasoline stations, parking, toll gates and others. But to realize all these benefits of the system, the first step is all vehicles must be tagged," says Dizon, stressing the government can't maximize the system if vehicles are untagged.

He says a good example on how RFID system can be used for traffic management in Metro Manila is to put readers in the entry and exit points of the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), probably the most major and congested highway in Luzon.