The city of Dagupan, in Pangasinan, has passed a resolution on February 2, 2021, calling for the suspension of the Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVIC) within its jurisdiction.
The Sangguniang Panglungsod (city council), led by vice mayor, Brian Kua, approved Draft Resolution No. 6025 that contains a recommendation to the city’s mayor, Brian Lim, to review the PMVIC’s business permit and suspend its operations.
According to city councilor, Joey Tamayo, this new requirement of going through the PMVICs for vehicle inspection prior to registration renewal is a big burden to the motoring public, especially since there is still an ongoing pandemic.
“Pahirap po itong bagong Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) sa panahon ng pandemya (This new PMVIC [requirement] is a big burden during this time of a pandemic),” said Tamayo.
PMVICs are centers qualified and tasked to carry out the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) now required by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) prior to registration that seeks to make sure that all vehicles that ply our roads are 100% roadworthy.
Earlier, the city of San Fernando, La Union and the province of Ilocos Sur have considered the suspension of PMVIC operations within their respective jurisdictions. In Metro Manila, a non-government organization, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) has knocked on the Supreme Court's doors to to look into the new requirement, citing the PMVIC’s high inspection fee prices and lack of public consultation before the new system was launched.
Inspection fees are PhP1,800.00 for private vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickups, etc.), and PhP600.00 for motorcycles. If a vehicle fails the initial inspection, a 50% re-inspection fee will be charged when the vehicle returns for re-inspection until it passes.
