LTO still accepts emission certificates in areas without PMVICs

MANILA: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) stated that certification from accredited Private Emission Testing Centers (PETCs) are still acknowledged in areas with no access to Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVICs).

In a virtual press conference, LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante said, “For those with no access to PMVICs, we still recognize accredited PETCs. Even with the visual and ocular inspection, we hope problems with vehicles will still be identified and addressed.”

The PETCs only conduct ocular inspections of car emissions while according to Asec. Galvante, the PMVICs conduct around 70 testing procedures on vehicles that are older than 15 years to guarantee their safety on the road.

He explained, “PETCs can’t check brakes, lights, wheel alignment, and many more to pronounce the safety of a vehicle, while MVICs are complete.”

Meanwhile, DOTr Undersecretary Rainier Yebra said, “Under a memorandum circular released in 1986, vehicle inspections were made mandatory or requisite to vehicle registration. This was after many reports of vehicles involved in road crashes due to defective parts.”

According to DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport Mark Steven Pastor, 24 motor vehicle inspection centers (MVIC) are currently in operation in Angeles City, Pampanga; Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; Pamplona, Camarines Sur; San Fernando, La Union; Laoag, Ilocos Norte; Otis, Manila; UN Avenue, Manila; Taguig City; San Pedro, Laguna; Pili, Camarines Sur; Ormoc City; Roxas City; Danao City; Mandaue City; Dasmariñas, Cavite; Mandaue, Cebu; Dagupan City; Valenzuela City; Calapan City; Carcar City, Cebu; Daet, Camarines Norte; Tacloban City; Sorsogon City; and Dumaguete City.

Asec. Pastor clarified that emission certificates are still accepted in LTO registration for areas with no access to PMVICs.

The DOTr and LTO are set to build MVICs on 138 sites. The agencies have issued Memorandum Circular 2020-2225 to add 200 more sites.

“This proves that the DOTr and LTO will continuously open and add more MVICs,” Asec. Pastor stated.

The yearly inspection will cost around P1,500 for vehicles with 4,500 kilograms of gross vehicle weight. P600 will be charged for motorcycles, while P300 for public utility jeepneys (PUJs). Vehicles that did not pass the initial inspection will have to pay a P750 fee for reinspection.

PMVICs have been controversial due to issues on testing procedures and alleged overcharging. Just last week, the operation of a PMVIC in San Fernando, La Union was suspended due to overcharging of fees and violation of LTO Memorandum Circular No. 2018-2158 and Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991.

Photo from LTO

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