BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – When would this city’s Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVIC) become operational?
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) here said they have yet to receive guidelines for the authorization of PMVICs.
According to Reuben Tampos, head of LTO-Bacolod, there are four PMVICs in this city and in Negros Occidental.
They are located at the Bredco Port and Barangay Alijis here and in the cities of Cadiz and Kabankalan.
While these PMVICs were already LTO-approved, all of them are not yet operational, added Tampos.
The only active PMVIC in Western Visayas was the one located in Roxas City, he noted.
These PMVICs have automated vehicle inspection machines that will not only check a vehicle’s compliance with emission standards, but will also test its roadworthiness before registration.
The LTO will only receive a clearance certificate from private companies that will test the vehicles, Tampos said.
In 2018, the LTO issued a memorandum circular authorizing PMVICs to collect an inspection fee of P1,800 from motor vehicles weighing 4,500 kilograms or less.
Should the vehicle fails the test, it will be required to undergo necessary repairs and be brought back to the PMVIC where the motorist is charged an additional P900 reinspection fee to obtain clearance.
On the other hand, motorcycles and tricycles are charged P600 for the inspection fee and P300 for reinspection, if necessary.
The program has been a subject of resistance all over the country./PN
