The Vehicle Inspection Centers Owners Association of the Philippines (VICOAP) has proposed a revised Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) program to President Duterte in order to ensure the roadworthiness of vehicles in the country.
In an open letter to the president, VICOAP requested the adoption of the following as mandatory requirements for motor vehicle registration renewal of light vehicles, motorcycles, and public utility jeepneys:
- Passing marks in the emission test, in accordance with the standards set by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Office (LTO)
- MVIS inspection report from an accredited PMVIC, regardless of the result
The group’s appeal came on the heels of Duterte’s order suspending the mandatory conduct of the motor vehicle inspection system (MVIS).
Prior to Duterte’s order, motorists cried foul over the alleged exorbitant fees being charged by PMVICs.
Inspection fees for the new system range between P1,500 to P1,800. If the vehicle fails the test, motorist will be required to pay an additional P900 for a reinspection fee. Motorcycles and tricycle, meanwhile, are charged P600 for the inspection fee and P300 for reinspection.
However, PMVIC owners agreed to lower their inspection charges and also waive for one year their re-inspection fees for private and public utility vehicles following the appeal of the DOTr.
From P1,500 to P1,800, the PMVIC testing fee has been 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 has also been lowered to P500 and P300 for public utility jeepneys.
Despite this, the group said that “there has been a drastic decline in the number of clients undergoing inspection in our centers.”
From 100 inspections a day, the group said that their centers are currently conducting only five to ten inspections a day.
“Clearly, the aversion to our services is not because of the alleged steep price, but based on the unfounded fear of not meeting vehicle roadworthiness standards. Motor vehicle owners, who have the responsibility under the law to ensure that their vehicle is fit to be on the road, opt for the PETC service because these companies do not possess roadworthiness inspection capabilities. Clients have to go to the LTO which conducts manual or ocular inspections due to lack of inspection facilities,” the group said.
VICOAP, meanwhile, also lamented that the program “is undergoing trial by publicity, not out of concern for vehicle owners, but as a platform to gain political mileage.”
“We understand that as with any major policy change, there will be resistance and issues. However, the resistance has gotten out of hand, because the operations issues are being sensationalized, even though most have been remedied, while others are being addressed within our ranks,” the group said.
It argued that the program seeks to “institutionalize a technology-driven and corrupt-free motor vehicle inspection system that ensures compliance to local and international road safety practices and emission standards.”
The group also dismissed accusations that the program is “based on the whims and caprices” of the DOTr.
“Sir, the PMVIC Program is a carefully studied endeavor designed with the noble goal to address the increasing of number road traffic incidents, and to put a stop to the obsolete system which is being abused and that breeds corrupt practices. It is only because of the lack of political will from previous administrations that this well-thought-out program was not fully implemented,” the group explained.
They added: “Contrary to the allegations of some politicians, the process of application was stringent and transparent. Applicants were required to submit a full set of documents to support their applications for accreditation within the timelines set by the DOTr. Further, the awarding process was attended by all concerned at the DOTr offices, captured on video, and shared to the public via Facebook live. In instances where there were equally qualified applicants, the DOTr awarded the Conditional Provisional Authority to the applicant winning an actual toss coin contest, which provided a 50-50 chance for these equally qualified applicants.”
