LTO warns illegal private emission testing centers

Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Assistant Secretary Anneli Lontoc yesterday warned illegal private emission testing centers (PETCs) that the government would rid the industry of irregularities once the agency’s interconnectivity program is fully implemented.

"Your (illegal PETCs) days are numbered," Lontoc said in a statement.

Lontoc issued the warning after stakeholders expressed fears that the delay in the implementation of the LTO information technology (IT) interconnectivity program would further encourage illegal activities such as issuance of fake certificates of emission compliance (CECs), non-appearance of applicants and non-compliance with requirements.

"The interconnectivity program will continue. The days of these illegal PETCs are numbered," Lontoc reiterated.

Reports said the interconnectivity program was delayed because IT providers which lost in the bidding filed a temporary restraining order (TRO) with the Supreme Court and called for another round of bidding.

LTO authorities conducted another round of bidding for interested parties in the LTO’s interconnectivity program.

Among the IT providers that lost in the first bidding include: Cyberlink, OSSI, Intertek and other Relational Data Management System (RDMS).

LTO officials said these companies lack the requirements needed in the pre-qualification process.

So far, only two IT service providers have made it to the regular bidding — Eurolink and a company called ETCIT, the LTO said.

Lontoc, who has started waging an intensified campaign against fake PETCs nationwide, said the government will push through with the interconnectivity program.

Earlier, Private Emission Testing Center Owners Association (PETCOA) president Antonio Halili vowed to support the interconnectivity program of the government, saying it would eradicate anomalies.

Ramon Reyes, head of operations of the interconnectivity program of Stradcom, said that they will speed-up the process for the early implementation of the interconnectivity program.

The LTO has been pushing for the interconnectivity project as a result of the failure of 1.3 million registered vehicles nationwide to take the required emission test last year.

LTO officials emphsized the importance of emission testing to the health of motorists and in the effort to keep the environment clean.

Studies showed that smoke belchers are the top pollutants in the country, especially in Metro Manila.

Smoke belching is also a leading cause of pulmonary illnesses such as tuberculosis, asthma, cough and colds.