Lower fees await motorists who will have their vehicles checked on private motor vehicle inspection centers (PMVICs) as owners of these facilities have agreed to answer the appeal of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade in lowering their current inspection charges while also waiving for one year the re-inspection fees.
From P1,500 to P1,800, the PMVIC testing fee will be lowered to P600 for private vehicles–with the process to still cover all 73 inspection items, including smoke emission, for a comprehensive test of a vehicle’s roadworthiness.
The inspection fee for motorcycles will also be lowered to P500 and P300 for public utility jeepneys.
“Nais ko pong ianunsyo na matapos ang mahabang negosasyon at diskusyon, matapos po ang sunud-sunod na dayalogo at mga meetings, napapayag ‘ho ni Secretary Tugade ang mga Motor Vehicle Inspection Center Owners na iparehas ang kanilang singil sa kasalukuyang singil ng mga Private Emission Testing Centers,” DOTr assistant secretary for procurement and project implementation Giovanni Lopez said.
PMVIC owners have also agreed to waive the re-test fee for one year.
“We understand fully that given today’s economic climate, many Filipinos are struggling financially. Many have lost their jobs while others are struggling to change industries. We understand that the added cost of vehicle inspections will be difficult for many,” Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines (VICOAP) president Iñigo Larrazabal said.
VICOAP is the largest group with 80 PMVICs located in various parts of the country.
“We understand fully that given today’s economic climate, many Filipinos are struggling financially. Many have lost their jobs while others are struggling to change industries. We understand that the added cost of vehicle inspections will be difficult for many,” Larrazabal said.
Land Transportation Office assistant secretary Edgar Galvante said the lowering of testing fees for vehicle inspection, which is a requisite prior to vehicle registration with the agency, will be effective immediately.
Tugade earlier issued an appeal to lower the PMVIC fees in adherence to the request of President Duterte, and in order to strike a balance between keeping the roads safe and considering the financial difficulties being experienced by many vehicle owners at due to the present COVID-19 pandemic situation.
With PMVIC fees now lowered, Larrazabal said now is a good chance for motorists find out if their vehciles are road worthy for the same amount of money they will pay PETCs.
“PETC ang ini-inspect lang is emission, while MVIC checks the whole performance of the vehicle so this is not equivalent. Ang pakiusap namin sa motorista is to submit their vehicle for total checkup, full systems check,” Galavante said.