Dismiss inspectors of PUVs involved in road accidents –Sotto

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday urged authorities to dismiss officials who are involved in the inspection and issuance of roadworthiness certificates on public utility vehicles (PUVs) that figure in road mishaps.

Sotto made the remark during the Senate panel inquiry into the implementation of the Motor Vehicle Inspection System.

During the hearing, Sotto commented how Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante had a tough personality that he could use to strictly implement policies.

"Ang suggestion ko, Gen. Galvante, kapag may sumabit, yung nagbigay ng certificate, sibakin mo na agad. Yung private company na nag-iinspect, nakapatay, or nawalan ng preno, o nagloko ang makina, sibakin niya na agad. Hindi pwede yung ganyan," he said.

"It really bothers me. Yan ang mabigat sa akin e," he added.

Senators have called for the implementation of the Motor Vehicle Inspection System amid lingering issues to the detriment of motorists at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The LTO earlier issued a memorandum circular laying out the guidelines authorizing private motor vehicle inspection centers (PMVIC).

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.

Senators argued that the implementation of the policy may be ill-timed, considering the impact of the ongoing pandemic on the people's finances.

But Sotto said these issues are mostly secondary to him. "Ang bwisit na bwisit ako, yung nakakamatay at nahahayaan niyong nasa kalsada."

Earlier in the hearing, Galvante said they are looking into the possibility of lowering the fees of motor vehicle inspection.

The House of Representatives is set to conduct its inquiry into the matter on Wednesday. — DVM, GMA News