For those who are in the process of registering their vehicles, you might want to know that the mandatory inspection of motor vehicles at private motor vehicle inspection centers (PMVICs) is still suspended, according to Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Department of Transportation Secretary Art Tugade made the order of suspending the mandatory testing. It was earlier clarified by Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante.
Chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante also clarified that PMVICs are not suspended from operating. This means motor vehicle owners can still have their vehicles checked at a PMVIC or at a private emission testing center (PETC).
“Hindi naman na-suspend ang operation ng PMVICs. They can still operate. Ang na-suspend lamang ay iyong mandatory inspection sa PMVICs, at implementation ng GAORs. Ibig sabihin, sa mga lugar kung saan may mga PMVIC, malaya pa ring makapamimili ang tao kung sa PMVIC o PETC magpapa-inspect ng sasakyan bago magpa-rehistro,” said Asec. Galvante.
PMVICs are capable of testing the full roadworthiness of a vehicle, unlike PETCs which conduct only emission testing. Owners will not only ascertain their vehicle’s compliance with the Clean Air Act but also their vehicle’s roadworthiness.
“Under the leadership and guidance of Secretary Art Tugade, transport agencies have been pursuing road transport improvement initiatives to mitigate the rise in vehicular accidents and fully uphold road safety. The PMVIC program is just one of the basket of solutions to address roadworthiness of vehicles. Lives will be saved if all vehicles traveling the roads are truly roadworthy,” Asec. Galvante said.
More importantly, a test in a PMVIC costs as much as a test in a PETC now. This was made possible by DOTr and LTO, leaving PMIC owners with no choice but to lower the price, as motorists were unwilling to pay the original Php 1,800 cost. In addition, reinspection or retest fees are also waived. Still, motorists are not required to undergo mandatory inspection as per LTO and DOTr.
