Grace Poe hits ‘arbitrary’ vehicle inspection fees

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) should not implement a circular that sets P1,800 as its motor vehicle inspection fee since the order did not undergo a thorough public consultation, Sen. Grace Poe said yesterday.

“Before it imposes new fees, the LTO should first heed the basic traffic rule: Stop. Look. Listen. Puro pasakit na lang sa taumbayan (This puts such a heavy burden on citizens),” Poe said.

Under LTO Memorandum Circular 2018-2158 dated Nov. 28, 2018, motorists will have to pay P1,800 for the inspection of vehicles weighing 4,500 kilos at a private inspection center as a requisite for registration.

A reinspection fee of P900 will be charged if the 4,500-kilo vehicle fails the inspection.

Motorcycle and tricycle owners will have to shell out P600 for the inspection fee.

In January this year, Poe filed Senate Resolution 1003 to look into the inspection fees.

She said she hopes the Senate would see the wisdom of recommending against its implementation “so as not to double the fees and charges to be paid by motor vehicle owners.”

According to Poe, thorough and wide-ranging consultations should be conducted involving all concerned stakeholders to discuss this.

“Over the past years, the list of LTO-imposed new charges or regulations is growing – from car plates, to emailed medical certificates and then this inspection fee,” Poe lamented.

The senator said the P1,800 fee is not a paltry amount and will put a dent in the budget of motorists already reeling from the high prices of fuel and other commodities.