40 erring PETCs padlocked

MANILA, Philippines - Groups of private emission testing centers at the Land Transportation Office hailed the recent move of LTO chief Alberto Suansing of ordering the closure of some 40 PETCs found to have engaged in anomalous car emission tests.

The Coalition for Clean Air Advocates and the Private Emission Test Center Operators Association said that the closure of the erring PETCs will ensure that smoke-belching cars are taken out of the streets and restore people’s trust in the smoke emission testing process.

Herminio Buerano Jr., president of CCAA, said that Suansing’s closure order led them to believe that the LTO has regained inspired leadership since Suansing returned as the agency’s chief. Buerano said that Suansing has the political will to monitor PETCs implementing non-compliance and non-appearance in their operation.

He noted that Suansing has also announced that they were now in the process of investigating all reported anomaly in the LTO.