Recto seeks deferment of policy on increased fees for vehicle inspection

Senator Ralph Recto has filed a Senate resolution to defer the Land Transportation Office's (LTO) planned roll-out of 138 Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers nationwide, due to the additional expenses they would on motorists and the lack of transparency in program implementation.

Recto filed Senate Resolution 638 just days after Senator Grace Poe also sought the deferment of the policy pending a Senate probe for the same reasons.

Recto said that the Department of Transportation and the LTO, even without an exhaustive public consultation or an public information campaign, issued Memorandum Circular 2020- 17 2240 dated December 29, 2020 directing the immediate implementation of the policy.

The policy authorizes private inspection centers to collect an inspection fee of P1,800 from motor vehicles weighing 4,500 kilograms or less. If the vehicle fails the test, it will be required to undergo necessary repairs and taken back to the private inspection centers, where the motorist is charged an additional P900 reinspection fee to obtain clearance.

Motorcycles and tricycles are also charged P600 for the inspection fee and P300 for the reinspection fee.

“This has triggered widespread protests from motorists and civic organizations who questioned the integrity of the process and described the 72-point series of roadworthiness automated tests as more demanding than those required for car dealerships,” Recto said.

During a pandemic and an economic downturn that are causing suffering, fear and anxiety, Recto argued, the public should not be further burdened by regulatory measures with questionable procedures, imposing exorbitant fees with doubtful effectiveness, and implemented without proper public consultation.

“Resolved by the Senate, as it is hereby resolved, to urge the DOTr and LTO to suspend the operation of the Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers until a comprehensive public consultation is conducted, with the end in view of promoting transparency to stakeholders and the public, forging programs with social acceptability and ensuring public safety,” Recto said.

Before the Motor Vehicle Inspection System program was put in place, Poe said, motorists only had to pay an average of P500 for the emission testing fee.

The new inspection procedure is supposedly more thorough as it uses advanced technology to check the car from inside out.

Poe, however, said that this should not be at the expense of burdening the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic. — BM, GMA News