No legal basis for PMVICs to operate – Poe

MANILA, Philippines — The operation of private motor vehicle inspection centers (PMVICs), which charge motorists about P1,500 per inspection as a requirement for vehicle registration, has no legal basis and might be worth investigating by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee.

With this contention, Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, enjoined the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to explain and justify their basis in allowing PMVICs.

“As far as I can tell you, we can see now that there is no legality in their (PMVICs) operations as long as it cannot be justified or said where its reasoning was lifted from the Clean Air Act by the DOTr,” Poe said in an interview over dwIZ.

Poe vowed to have the committee report finalized this week as she coordinates with other senators in her committee.

“Our recommendation will be, first and foremost, is there a real legal basis for the privatization of MVIC? Is it in accordance with private emission testing centers under the Clean Air Act? It needs to be carefully studied by Congress and if need be, fix and clarify the law,” Poe said in Filipino.

The senator also noted that she may recommend to the Senate Blue Ribbon committee an investigation on the deals entered into by the DOTr with the private inspection centers.

“Who are they (PMVICs) to be allowed to operate without proper bidding – it would be anomalous from the start,” she said.

During last week’s public hearing, Poe’s committee questioned the order of the DOTr to require additional vehicle testing to be done by private centers prior to registration.

The senators unanimously agreed that the fees will make motorists shell out extra P1,500 on top of the usual registration fee charged by the LTO, which is ill-timed in this time of pandemic.

While she expressed support for the initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety of motorists, Poe, however, pointed out that the process should be carried out according to the mandate of the law.

LTO’s Galvante ready to resign

Amid recent controversies hounding the LTO, its head said yesterday that he is ready to vacate his post if his superiors call for his resignation.

“I’m not holding on to this post. I would obey orders from those above me. If that’s the will of my superiors, I would resign without hesitation,” LTO chief Edgard Galvante said in Filipino.

Recently, the LTO has drawn criticism from the public and senators over its handling and implementation of certain policies.

For one, Sen. Richard Gordon called for the resignation of LTO officials involved in the non-implementation of Republic Act 11235 (Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act) almost a year after it was signed into law.

Receiving flak over the child car seat requirement and operation of private vehicle inspection centers, the LTO has since been ordered by Malacañang to suspend the implementation of the two policies.– Romina Cabrera