12 emission testing centers suspended due to allegedly falsified results

MANILA: 12 private emission testing centers (PETC) were given temporary suspension orders by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Friday for allegedly fabricating emission results and the presence of their customers during testing.

The 12 PETCs were apprehended, according to LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) Officer-in-Charge Renan Melintante, after it was discovered that the emission results they submitted to the LTO image repository database server (IRDS) were fake or had been altered on purpose.

He said that the IT providers of 12 PETCs received a show-cause order from the LTO, requesting an explanation of why their accreditation should not be terminated for their involvement in the crime.

Melintante stated that it is strictly prohibited for PETCs to submit fake or manipulated webcam photos to the LTO IRDS to make it appear as though the vehicle being registered has undergone an inspection.

By authorizing the registration of vehicles with “non-appearance” customers, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo Tugade claimed that such activities are blatant attempts to deceive the government.

He added that allowing non-appearance inspections is extremely risky since non-compliant vehicles could cause accidents, endangering the lives of the driver and their passengers as well as other road users.

He gave the public the assurance that the LTO will continue to keep an eye on and sanction PETCs who provide such services.

Photo from Land Transportation Office

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