Local lawmakers seek delay  in vehicle inspection policy

By Joseph B.A. Marzan and ERS

 

Members of the local legislative bodies in the city and province of Iloilo called on the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to delay the implementation of the LTO Memorandum Circular (MC) on Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVICs).

In a privilege speech during the Iloilo City Council’s regular session on Tuesday, Councilor Romel Duron reiterated his call to LTO-Region 6 to suspend the policy.

Duron said that while the intention of the DOTr and the LTO—reducing heavy traffic and road accidents—was “good,” the agency ultimately “lacked preparation”.

“The ultimate objective – which is road safety – is good. Maayo ini. If we can reduce the number of cars breaking down on the road, we can reduce significantly the main causes of traffic and accidents. However, as I have said, daw kulang pa kag indi preparado ang LTO,” Duron said.

Duron also cited the possible “clogging” of vehicles at testing centers and fees for the tests.

LTO Assistant Regional Director Gaudioso Geduspan said in a radio interview on Jan. 29 that the average time of PMVIC tests ranges from 8 to 10 minutes.

According to the LTO, the inspection fee for tests on light-duty vehicles is PHP1,800, while re-inspection fee for vehicles that failed the tests is PHP900.

Duron cited cases of adequately maintained vehicles that failed the tests in other areas of the country where PMVICs are in full operation.

He also cited a resolution by the city council of San Fernando City, La Union, which pointed out the “heavy burden” of inspection and re-inspection fees amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“Not only that, aside from the inconvenience car owners will suffer due to the expected clogging at the PMVICs, the motor vehicle inspection will also be costly at a minimum rate of PHP1,800.00 per light vehicle. Should the vehicle fail in the initial inspection, a repeat inspection will cost [PHP900.00]. This PMVIC is [2 lanes for motorcycles and 2 lanes for light vehicles]. (sic) At an average inspection of 4 vehicles per 20 minutes the PMVIC can inspect twelve [12] vehicles per hour, the PMVIC can inspect 120 vehicles a day, assuming they operate [10] hours a day. 120 vehicles times 30 days the PMVIC can inspect 3,600 vehicles a month. Do you think the PMVIC can do that?” Duron added.

He called on the LTO to focus on road discipline rather than vehicle quality to ensure safer driving on the roads, citing top causes of vehicular accidents.

“In the Philippines, about 12,000 Filipinos die on the road every year. But human error rather than a breakdown in vehicular parts is largely responsible for accidents on the road. According to statistics, the five most common causes of road accidents in the country are: number one, over speeding; number two, driving under the influence of liquor or drugs; number three, bad overtaking; number four, improper turning; and number five, jaywalking. Clearly, if road safety is the objective we will achieve it more if we encourage and enforce road discipline rather than the road worthiness of vehicles,” Duron said.

For Council Eduardo Peñaredondo, the implementation of MVIS may result in anarchy and the economic fallouts for both the city and province of Iloilo.

“Of all the passenger vehicles in Iloilo, only 3% will survive. Private cars, maybe 10%, the economy of the city and province of Iloilo. There will be anarchy,” Peñaredondo lamented.

Councilor Ely Estante also shared the same sentiments and emphasized that authorities need not implement the MVIS and instead focus on the strict implementation of road laws already existing.

“There are so many laws. There is only a need for strict implementation of the law not really that you leave the inspection to the private sector when in fact LTO and LTFRB are mandated to inspect the vehicles before registration why not give it to the private owners,” Estante said.

The City Council said it is planning to conduct a dialogue with LTO officials to discuss the implementation of the MVIS.

 

UNTIMELY AND UNRESPONSIVE

Iloilo Board Member Ramon Sullano (Ex-officio member, Philippine Councilors’ League), Chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s Committee on Transportation and Communications, also questioned the timing of its implementation.

Sullano told Aksyon Radyo Iloilo on Tuesday that this may have been in tune to the implementation of Republic Act No. 11229 or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act.

The law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 22, 2019 mandates the installation of child safety restraint systems in vehicles.

It also prohibits children aged 12 years and below, or 4 feet and 11 inches tall or under, from sitting in front seats of vehicles.

“Looking at the intent of our [LTO] and the DOTr, this is untimely and unresponsive to the pandemic we are currently facing. We keep implementing national issuances and laws, but our people are still struggling with the economy because of this pandemic. There are still so many changes yet to be implemented in our transportation system to prevent incidents involving our youth,” Sullano said in a radio interview.

The board member shared that most of the complaints he has been hearing are from private vehicles that have been pressured to comply with RA No. 11229.

He echoed Duron’s sentiments, stating that the LTO and the DOTr should focus on drivers’ education to ensure road safety.

“We are hoping that they would give great attention to educating our drivers. Mostly, there has been an increase in reckless driving, less road courtesy and less observance of the traffic signs. That’s what they should be looking at, not this,” he said.

Sullano also said he is planning to deliver a privilege speech on the next regular session on Feb. 9 to call on the LTO and DOTr to suspend the implementation of the MC and Rep. Act No. 11229.

LTO MC 2018-2158, which was issued on November 28, 2018, provides for the requirements and processes by PMVICs.

This MC, in turn, implements DOTr Department Order 2018-19, which authorizes private entities to conduct Motor Vehicle Inspection System testing.

As of this writing, there has only been one LTO-authorized PMVIC in Western Visayas, which is in Roxas City.

Another PMVIC is currently under construction in Iloilo City, and LTO Assistant Regional Director Gaudioso Geduspan said on January 29 that other centers in the city and province of Iloilo are being planned.