Motorists and vehicle owners are given the option to have their motor vehicles inspected either by an authorized private motor vehicle inspection center (PMVIC) or have it inspected by the LTO.
Tuazon said that motorists need not worry about the cost of having thier vehicles inspected for roadworthiness by a PMVIC as the cost of the inspection is now the same as the cost of an emission test given by a private emission testing center (PETC).
Tuazon however said that aside from the emission testing as mandated under the Philippine Clean Air Act, vehicles will be also be inspected for roadworthiness at a PMVIC at no extra charge. This is because the emission test is included in the battery of safety and roadworthiness checks to be done by the PMVIC on a motor vehicle.
Tuazon urges motorists to have their vehicles inspected by PMVICs so as not to crowd LTO branches. Incidents of graft in the registration process will also be prevented as the tests to be done at a PMVIC is recorded on video and all of the tests results are sent real-time to the main database of the LTO.
This, said Tuazon, will prevent incidents of tampered inspection results and "non-appearance" registrants as vehicles will really be tested for roadworthiness.
"Ano ba ang pasakit sa taong bayan? Presyo? We addressed it already. Parehas na ang presyo ng PETC and PMVIC. Hindi ba mas pasakit sa bayan kung hindi roadworthy ang mga sasakyang tumatakbo sa kalsada?" asked Tuazon.
"Nagsisimula na tayo sa new normal. If this will not be done now, kelan pa?" he added.
Meanwhile, Tuazon stressed that based on the opinion of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), there is no more question on the legality of motor vehicle inspections for safety and roadworthiness as part of the registration process with the LTO.
Tuazon said that based on the OSG's opinion, the DOTr and the LTO have authority to ensure the roadworthiness of motor vehicles under the Administrative Code of 1987, LTO charters, and other laws.
The DOTr and the LTO, according to the OSG can also legally authorize PMVICs to conduct inspection of motor vehicles pursuant to valid administrative issuances. (DOTr)
