SEN. Grace Poe yesterday slammed the Department of Transportation for re-imposing the controversial mandatory inspection of motor vehicles that had been suspended by Malacanang last February.
Poe, chair of the Senate public services committee, said Malacanang agreed to a recommendation made by her committee to suspend the operations of private motor vehicle inspection centers (PMVICs) since it is an added cost to vehicle owners and could be potential “super spreaders” of the new coronavirus disease.
The panel’s recommendation was made after a series of hearings conducted last February.
“After the hearings, when it (DOTr) failed to properly explain the program, Malacanang agreed to have it stopped,” Poe said, adding a few days after the hearing, the DOTr said vehicle testing in PMVICs “was made optional” until the program was made mandatory again last month.
“The DOTr said that testing fees in PMVICs was lowered. But we have received a lot of reports that this is not true,” she said.
Sen. Christopher Go said DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade should explain the sudden re-imposition of the program, adding this should not be made mandatory.
Poe said she has also received reports that vehicle owners are being “forced” to buy insurance premiums from the PMVICs, instead of getting one from an insurance agency of their choice.
She said there are few PMVICs operating per region, one of the reasons why vehicle owners flock to the in disregard of basic safety health protocols.
In a press statement dated February 26, 2021, the DOTr said the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued LTO Memorandum dated 11 February 2021 directing LTO regional directors to ensure the strict implementation of the President’s order to make vehicle inspection from PMVICs non-mandatory, as well as the directive of the DOTr on lowered PMVIC inspection fees.
In a statement dated July 12, 2021, DOTr Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon said “the thorough inspection of motor vehicles prior to LTO registration or renewal of registration is in line with the thrust of the DOTr to make sure that motor vehicles on the country’s roads remain roadworthy.”
