Senator questions 'revival' of vehicle inspection scheme

Senator Ralph Recto on Wednesday questioned the transport department over the return of the private motor vehicle inspection scheme (PMVIS), which was already halted by Malacañang earlier this year.

It can be recalled that presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced that subjecting vehicles to an inspection by private motor vehicle inspection centers or PMVIC prior to registration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is not mandatory.

“It has been put into a coma upon orders of Malacañang. Now it appears that it has mutated into something else," Recto said in a statement.

The senator had asked LTO and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to explain the legality of the return of PMVIS.

He cited a memorandum circular MC-SC-2021-02 issued on July 5, which shows DOTr's guidelines for LTO to only accept Motor Vehicle Inspection Reports from PMVICs in their designated areas.

Recto demanded that the LTO specify the scope and cost of fees for the inspection.

The LTO must also prove that the scheme will not result in long queues and longer processing time in PMVIC, Recto also pointed out.

“If a car owner will opt for an inspection done by the LTO, are the facilities of the latter adequate? Is this option available all the time, so they will not be shepherded to private testing centers?” he added.

Earlier this year, several senators have called for the suspension of the PMVIS, adding that it is detrimental to motorists during the COVID-19 pandemic. -- Consuelo Marquez/BAP, GMA News