Ogumoro, BMV staff fix driver’s license computer problem

Acting Department of Public Safety commissioner Ambrosio T. Ogumoro yesterday announced that those who were issued temporary driver’s licenses can now pick up their new licenses.

In an announcement, Ogumoro said the new driver’s license can now be picked up at the Bureau of Motor Vehicle for those issued temporary driver’s licenses from December 2011 to March 2012.

“Please contact BMV at 664-9066 to check on the status of their driver’s license,” according to Police Officer Jason Tarkong.

Tarkong also urged those having temporary taxi driver’s licenses or expired firearms identification, to contact the DPS Firearms and Records Section at 664-9072/73 on Wednesday, April 4, to follow up on their status.

“The acting commissioner has worked hard with the BMV staff in bringing the driver’s license computer software back on line and appreciates the patience of all involved,” Tarkong said.

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial put DPS commissioner Ramon C. Mafnas on administrative leave and designated deputy commissioner Ogumoro as acting commissioner.

Last week, BMV Director Juana C. Leon Guerrero and six other BMV staff filed a grievance before the Office of Personnel Management against Mafnas for harassment, intimidation, and creating a hostile working environment.

In their complaint the BMV staff recalled, among other things, that in December 2011 when they finally started implementing the new driver’s license card, Mafnas would visit their office.

The new driver’s license system kept experiencing failure such as inputting driver license information and printing the new cards.

During Mafnas’ at least twice a week visits to BMV, he would check on the status of the driver license system because he has been apparently receiving complaints of delays for the issuance of driver’s license.

Mafnas would shout at BMV employees in front of customers as to why the system is down.

Mafnas allegedly forgot that there is only one person trained to input information in the system for printing and that there is only one terminal and one printer designed to handle the new driver license, and if the system is down there is no back-up system.

Mafnas allegedly does not want to hear the BMV’s recommendation and thinks that the employees are intentionally breaking the system.

Director Leon Guerrero said Mafnas does not offer any assistance or solution to fix the malfunction and instead continued to humiliate her and her staff in front of every customer.