Photo courtesy of LTO-7
MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Tuesday ordered the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to temporarily stop the implementation of its memorandum directing all its regional offices to adopt the mandatory Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVICs) until the issue on the Geographic Areas of Responsibility (GAOR) is fully resolved.
In a statement, Tugade mandated the LTO to “conduct an immediate and exhaustive review of the policy” that directs all regional offices to adopt the mandatory PMVIC testing within geographic areas of responsibility (GAOR).
Currently, motor vehicle owners not included in the GAOR may choose where their vehicles could be tested — under PMVIC or private emission testing center (PETC). Roadworthiness inspection will be done at an LTO office.
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According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), PMVICs conduct 72-point full roadworthiness tests for vehicles whereas PETCs only test the smoke emission.
To save motorists from financial woes, the DOTr convinced PMVIC owners to slash their inspection rate to P600 from P1,500 for light vehicles, and P500 for motorcycles. Reinspection or retest charges were also waived.
The rates are similar to the cost for a test under PETCs.
Last March 18, the Office of the Solicitor General said that the transportation agencies have the power to guarantee the roadworthiness of vehicles and consequently implement the motor vehicle inspection system.
Under Administrative Code of 1987 and Executive Order 125-A, DOTr is permitted to call on any corporation or organization to join and assist in the transportation program implementation.
Recognizing that there will be “birth pains” with the PMVIC policy, Tugade emphasized that having a “long term, more modern, and most effective” inspection system is important.