DAVAO CITY — Car owners are up against the new registration policy imposed by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Based on the Memorandum Circular No. 02 Series of 2021, issued by the LTO on August 6, 2021, all vehicles due for registration must pass the Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) to ensure that their units are roadworthy, but the agency has only accredited a handful of PMVIC in the whole country.
Worse, on August 20, 2021, LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvez, ordered all LTO regional offices to strictly enforce the new system starting October 1, 2021.
The latest memorandum mandates the LTO office to strictly enforce the Motor Vehicle Inspection and Registration System (MVIRS) in October, identifying 40 PMVIC’s nationwide.
Romel Padog, a vehicle owner complained that he needs to travel 45 kilometers to Kidapawan City from his town in Pikit to avail of the PMVIC since there is only one center for the entire North Cotabato province.
“Layo kaayo kay isa lang ang MVIC sa north Cotabato, (It is very far, we only have one MVIC in North Cotabato,” he said.
Christian Lubo, president of a motorcycle riders group said “It is costly and impractical, the government imposed the order without first ensuring the availability of MVICs.”
Macario Gonzaga, LTO-12 Regional Director explained to Newsline Philippines, “While it is true that only two (2) PMVIC accredited in region 12, some motorist can still have their units checked through accredited emission centers, there is not enough PMVIC but we need to follow orders.”
Gonzaga said the new order is a compromise among road stakeholders and the government after the motorist association of the Philippines appealed that vehicles operating for more than 15 years be allowed to use the road provided that it passed the strict inspection thru MVICs.
Under the new inspection rule, “Machines will check the vehicle from engine to chassis up to emission including the stereos, it needs to pass the 72 checks before it will be issued a certificate that is roadworthy, there will be no human intervention during the check-up.”
Previously light vehicles need to pay only P270 for emission tests, but now, an owner needs to pay Php600.
Because of this, emission centers are also complaining as their application for MVIC registrations are stalled.-Editha Z. Caduaya
