The strict implementation of social distancing in the country has caused mayhem in emission testing centers. Some claim they arrive at an emission testing center as early as 5 a.m. and leave at noon.
Many efforts are done to solve this issue. Cagayan De Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez is prompting the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to temporarily suspend emission test as a requirement until the end of the year.
Unfortunately, this would violate the Philippine Clean Air Act or R.A. 8749.
This will eliminate the emission requirement issue amid the COVID-19 pandemic
>>> Related: Congressman: Suspend emission test as vehicle registration requirement
LTO, however, has other plans as the agency and DOTr announced that they will open 32 automated testing centers by the end of this month.
Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVICs) are privately-owned automated vehicle inspection facilities that will help fast-track the emission testing in the country. These 32 automated testing centers are situated in the following areas:
Luzon |
Visayas |
Mindanao |
|
San Fernando, La Union Vigan, Ilocos Sur Laoag, Ilocos Norte Lingayen and Alaminos, Pangasinan Angeles, Pampanga Dasmariñas, Cavite San Pedro, Laguna Calapan, Mindoro Pasig City Valenzuela City Pamplona, Camarines Sur Pili, Camarines Sur Sorsogon City Daet, Camarines Norte |
Roxas City, Capiz Mandaue, Cebu (2 sites) Danao, Cebu Naga, Cebu Dumaguete, Negros Oriental (2 sites) Tagbilaran, Bohol Tubigon, Bohol Bais, Negros Oriental Maasin City, Southern Leyte Ormoc City, Leyte |
Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay Iligan, Lanao del Norte Ozamis, Misamis Occidental Mati, Davao Oriental Panabo, Davao del Norte General Santos City, Cotabato |
PMVICs use automated machines to check a vehicle’s compliance with emission standards and a vehicle’s roadworthiness. The LTO IT system and PMVIC are currently identifying issues and glitches that may occur once the automated testing centers started operating.
>>> Related: 6 FAQs about emission test in the Philippines
Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade [Source: Wikipedia]
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade ensures everyone that the automated machine will provide accurate readings and this will eliminate the opportunities for corruption.
PMVICs are targeting to open and additional of 29 testing centers in September, as well as 14 in October, three in November, five in December, and 25 in January 2021.
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