TO THE JUNK SHOP: Strict inspection could hasten PUJs’ ‘extinction’

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

 

“Pakilo na lang namon amon jeep kay indi man kami kapasar (We will just sell our jeepneys to junk shops as we will not pass).”

This was the reaction of Raymundo “Boyet” Parcon, president of the Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators’ and Drivers Association (ICLAJODA), to the implementation of the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Parcon said almost all public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in Iloilo City could go out of commission if the policy is fully implemented. Worse, they might stop ferrying passengers because they cannot renew their registrations and franchises.

The MVIS is mandated by LTO Memorandum Circular No. 2018-2158 as part of efforts to ensure the safety of land transportation vehicles.

The policy affects not just private vehicles but also public utility vehicles. The MVIS requires vehicle owners to undergo complete road-worthiness tests before registering or renewing their vehicle registration with LTO.

The tests shall be conducted by LTO accredited Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVIC).

The owner must present a certificate from the PMVIC indicating that the vehicle is roadworthy.

Raymundo “Boyet” Parcon, president of the Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators’ and Drivers Association (ICLAJODA), said the MVIS will lead to 99 percent of all PUJs in the city getting out of commission because of the stringent requirements.

Parcon said almost all PUJs in the city lack the above carriage and undercarriage features that modern vehicles have.

The MVIS has a checklist of the required inspections that vehicles must pass.

The above carriage checklist includes the body appearance, chassis, engine, handlebars, wiper/washer, windshield/window glass, signal lights, parking lights, brake lights, backup lights, clearance lights, number plate/lights, hazard lights, reflectors, interior lights, top light (taxi), seat belts, horn, door/hinges, floorboard, side mirror/rearview, clutch system, brake system, driver’s/passenger’s seat, steering, tires/wheels, wheel bolts/nuts, fuel tank cap, and panel gauges.

Some of the areas covered by the undercarriage inspection are:

-The chassis frame/chassis number of your motor vehicle must be inspected and must match what is stated on the documents;

-Driveshaft bolts must be secured, and there should be no oil leaks in the transmission, differential, and engine;

-Steering linkages, the idler/section, and the power steering pump/motor must also be secured and working;

– For the gearbox mounting, all the bolts must be secure and the bell housing must be secured on the engine;

– The radiator will be checked for damage or leaks;

-Shock absorbers will also be checked for any leaks or defects;

-Propeller shaft couplings will also be inspected to see if it spins freely and without intermittence.

-Front and rear suspension shackle eyes, pins, and bushes will also be inspected.

-Spring clips and stabilizer bushes are also part of the list.

-Brake lines, and calipers, specifically the hoses and the cylinders of your brakes, and fuel lines will be inspected for leaks.

 

Parcon said PUJs, especially the very old ones, will never pass the meticulous inspections.

“I must admit that most of our PUJs have leaks and we don’t even have hand or parking breaks. Even our speedometers are just for display and if we install functional meters, the accuracy is questionable. So, we are unlikely to pass all these tests. And if we cannot pass, we cannot renew our registration and we will not be allowed on the roads,” he added.

 

FEES, INSPECTION CENTERS

LTO Memorandum Circular No. 2018-2158 also prescribes the fees for the tests to be conducted by the private testing centers.

Owners of 4-wheeled vehicles will pay P1,800 for the first testing while motorcycles will be charged P600.

If they fail and submit to a reinspection, the owners will pay another P900 for 4-wheeled vehicles and P300 for motorcycles.

The limited number of PMVICs in Panay could also affect operators and drivers of PUVs. So far, only Roxas City in Capiz has an operational PMVIC while three PMVICs in Iloilo City and four in Iloilo Province are under construction.

Parcon said they are appealing to LTO to temporarily hold the implementation of the MVIS until their bank loan to be used to acquire modern jeepneys is approved.

“In this time of the pandemic where our operations and income are affected because of the limited number of passengers we can carry, P1,800 is too much. We might as well sell our jeepneys to the junk shop if the LTO enforces that policy,” Parcon said.

 

PHASEOUT

The MVIS was supposed to be imposed on PUVs in 2018 but Parcon said they asked then LTO regional director Roland Ramos to hold its enforcement as traditional jeepneys will be phased out by March 2021.

“Director Ramos agreed seeing the practicality of our request. But the current LTO leadership is bent on imposing the policy this year. We will set a meeting with Regional Director Eric Lennard Tabaldo so we can again air our concerns,” he added.

But if the LTO insists on enforcing the policy, Parcon said they might be forced to stop operating which could affect passengers.

“We might end up like passengers to Guimaras who queue for hours to get a ride to their homes and work,” he said.