In lieu of MVIS, smoke emission test still needed

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday clarified that while the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) is no longer mandatory, motorists seeking vehicle registration or renewal still need to submit emission clearance certificates to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

“We just have a clarification. While the President said that motor vehicle inspection must be suspended, there is still a need to submit either the emission clearance or MVIS,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in Filipino.

Motorists can opt to get either the emission testing clearance given by private emission testing centers (PETCs) or MVIS certificate from accredited private motor vehicle inspection centers (PMVICs).

“This is how it goes: you can choose from two options – the emission test or MVIS. You can’t reject both. Because of the President’s appeal, MVIS won’t increase fees, just the same as what emission centers charge at P600. So, for P600 during the pandemic, your vehicle will be subject to 73 roadworthy inspection checkpoints,” Roque said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Based on the President’s order, Roque said that operators of PMVICs lowered their fees from P1,800 to P600 for light vehicles, P500 for motorcycles, and P300 for public utility jeepneys – the same rates being offered by PETCs.?

Certificates honored

Likewise, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Goddes Libiran said the LTO would honor certificates or results coming from either PETCs or PMVICs.

“Inspection certificates are still required prior to registration of motor vehicles. This means that before you get your car registered, you will have the option to have it inspected either in a PETC or in a PMVIC,” Libiran said.

“What is not mandatory is the inspection in PMVICs only,” she added.

At a virtual briefing on Thursday, transportation officials highlighted the importance of the motor vehicle inspection system, even though it is not mandatory.

“So what is now the use of PMVICs if it is not mandatory? For us in the DOTr and LTO, these facilities would stay because we want to give our motorists a center wherein their vehicle’s roadworthiness can be tested,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Giovanni Lopez said.

“As you know, PETC, not that we are saying it is inferior, but what it inspects is only the emission, while MVIC checks the whole performance of the vehicle so this is not equivalent. So our request to motorists is to submit their vehicle for total checkup or a full systems check,” LTO chief Edgar Galvante said.

“We now appeal to the motoring public, this is a good chance for you to find out if your vehicles are roadworthy, for the same amount of money you pay before,” Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines Iñigo Larrazabal said. – Richmond Mercurio