DOTr, LTO defend private motor vehicle inspection centers

MANILA, Philippines — Despite renewed criticism, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) said they are standing firm in supporting the operations of Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVICs) to do roadworthiness inspections prior to registration renewals.

The DOTr’s PMVIC steering committee claimed that the establishment of these private facilities is a definitive solution to ensuring the roadworthiness of vehicles to prevent road accidents.

“Thus, we remain firm in our commitment to address the roadworthiness requisite prior to renewal of vehicle registration. And, currently, PMVICs are the most equipped facilities which can accurately, efficiently and reliably measure this vital requirement of the law,” the committee said in a statement.

President Duterte in February suspended the mandatory requirement of the motor vehicle inspection system for the renewal of car registrations after a public clamor. This meant that motorists could continue to follow the old system that only requires visual inspections and emission testing instead of the mechanized MVIS.

Noting that Sen. Ralph Recto has questioned the revival of the MVIS, the committee explained that the operation of PMVICs is just a form of assistance by the private sector in the implementation of MVIS that test the roadworthiness of vehicles.

It said the government still has direct control and supervision over roadworthiness testing and motor vehicle registration even if the MVIS is outsourced.

The committee noted that they are looking to establish a PMVIC that will serve a geographical area of responsibility to prevent long queues at the centers.

“Further, if we look at the premise of the issue, the definitive solution is increasing the number of PMVICs that should open nationwide, in order for all areas to be covered,” it added.

The PMVIC committee said that the MVIS would charge rates of P600 for light vehicles and P500 for motorcycles, similar to those of private emission testing centers.