Solon questions PMVIC return, DOTr responds 

After being suspended for five months, the private motor vehicle inspection center (PMVIC) program is set to be reimplemented on July 26 with one senator questioning the basis for its return. 

PMVICs will again be mandatory beginning July 26, in areas where they are operational 

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to explain why the scheme has become mandatory again. 

“It has been put into a coma upon orders of Malacañang. Now it appears that it has mutated into something else,” he said.       
President Rodrigo Duterte suspended the implementation of the program in February, following complaints from motorists and legislators over the high fees and improper vehicle testing protocols. 

Since then, it has become optional for motorists to submit their cars and motorcycles to PMVICs for inspection, as a requisite for registration renewal. PMVIC operators have even lowered their rates and waived retesting fees, to encourage more vehicle owners to use the service. 

The program was suspended for five months following complaints from both motorists and lawmakers

In July, the DOTr issued Memorandum Circular No. MC-SC-2021-02, establishing a Geographical Area Of Responsibility (GAOR) for inspection of vehicles under the motor vehicle inspection system (MVIS). Light vehicles and motorcycles will now be required to undergo testing in areas where PMVICs are operational. 

Recto sought to clarify whether PMVICs have adequate facilities to accommodate vehicles undergoing inspection, and whether LTO offices work exclusively with a particular PMVIC. “Does this mean that a given LTO district office will require motorists to detour to a specific PMVIC before their vehicle registrations are renewed?” he asked. 

DOTr airs its side

In a press statement issued July 23, the DOTr’s PMVIC Steering Committee addressed Recto’s concerns regarding the return of PMVIC as a requirement for vehicle registration. 

The DOTr assures that PMVIC facilities are adequate for light vehicles and motorcycles

“(MC No. 2021-02) outlines how the LTO will establish the GAOR for every authorized PMVIC for renewal of registration to define areas covered by each facility. This is precisely to prevent crowding and long queues at a particular center since the PMVICs will cater to clients in their respective areas,” it said, adding that health and sanitation protocols as well as traffic management measures will be observed. 

If there is no PMVIC operating within a designated GAOR, motorists can have their vehicles inspected at a private emissions testing center (PETC) instead, with no need to detour to a PMVIC in another area. After securing an emissions testing certificate, owners may go directly to the LTO for roadworthiness tests. 

According to the agency, it still has the mandate to ensure that all vehicles are roadworthy

LTO offices with overlapping GAORs, it said, can accept results from any PMVIC within their area of coverage. Despite a full vehicle inspection regimen, registration renewal will still be based on emissions results and visual inspection only, with other tests to be conducted on the vehicle merely recommendatory in nature. Rates will continue to be at Php 600 for light vehicles and Php 500 for motorcycles, with no additional retesting fees.          

The committee reiterates that both the DOTr and the LTO have the authority to implement the MVIS to ensure the roadworthiness of vehicles which, while not the cure-all for road crashes, is one of the pillars of road safety. It adds that contrary to popular belief, this authority has not been delegated to the private sector as the government still exercises direct control and supervision over vehicle testing and registration.   

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