Vehicle inspection centers decry possible suspension of operations

The Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines (VICOAP) on Wednesday expressed apprehension on the possible suspension of the operations, as its chief said members invested millions for such centers only to be temporarily shut down by the government.

According to VICOAP president Iñigo Larrazabal, investments for vehicle centers range from P50 to P60 million, and investors have yet to see a return as most of the vehicles are still being brought to the private emission testing centers (PETC).

"Madami po sa amin, kadamihan kasali na po ako, ay inutang po namin 'to dahil siyempre programa ng gobyerno, naniwala naman kami sa programa ng gobyerno, we believe in the program. Ayun, namuhunan po kami at karamihan sa amin nangutang po kami sa bangko," he said in an interview on GMA Super Radyo DZBB.

"Right now sa mga areas namin na operational, napakakonti lang ng pumupunta sa amin. Kadalasan nasa emission testing pa rin sila," he added, noting that some drivers still prefer to head to some testing centers with no strict inspections.

This comes as Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares said she will recommend the suspension of private motor vehicle inspection centers (PMVICs) amid unresolved issues and concerns such as the timing of the implementation, considering the economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Under Memorandum Circular 2018-2158 of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), private inspection centers are to collect inspection fees of P1,800 from motor vehicles weighing 4,500 kilograms or less. If a vehicle fails, it will be required to undergo necessary repairs and retested for a P900 reinspection fee. Motorcycles and tricycles are also charged P600 for the inspection fee and P300 for reinspection.

Larrazabal on Wednesday clarified that the initial price announced was P1,800 but this was brought down to P1,500 following a series of public consultations.

"The price now is P1,500. Nakalagay na may retesting po 'pag bumagsak, pinayagan kami pero karamihan sa amin ay wine-waive na ang retesting fee. Bago namin isabak sa test ang sasakyan, binibigyan namin sila ng pre-inspection, libre po 'yun. Don pa lang sa parte na 'yun, ang dami na naming napapayuhan at marami tayong hindi nababagsak," he said.

For his part, LTO chief Edgar Galvante said inspections will continue to be done by PMVICs as no suspension orders have yet to be released on the matter.

"Wala naman akong natatanggap sa pamunuan ng [Department of Transportation] na pinapatigil 'yan kasi ang point dito is sa registration ng sasakyan, pinagluwagan na 'yung dati. Dati 15 years and older hindi na pwede i-rehistro. Ngayon roadworthiness ng sasakyan ang pagbabasehan para irehistro 'yung sasakyan," he said in a separate interview on DZBB.

"Ang para sa amin eh 'yung sistema ng pagche-check eh hindi dapat itigil kasi ang point dito eh hindi natin mate-check 'yung roadworthiness ng sasakyan, maaari ding mag-cause ito ng hindi magandang pangyayari, maraming masaktan, maraming mamatay," he added.—AOL, GMA News