The members of the Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines (VICOAP) have hailed the move of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to declare motor vehicle inspection as a requirement for registration.
This was embodied in DOTr Memorandum Circular (MC) No. MSC-SC-2021-01 dated March 2, 2021.
The said MC clarifies the procedure in the processing of the renewal of motor vehicle registration as directed by President Duterte, particularly on the mandatory emission testing, visual inspection, and the reduced inspection fees.
"Furrther, we value Provision 2c of the MC, which states that during this pandemic, other tests at authorized PMVICs will still be conducted but the result will only be for the purpose of advising or suggesting a course of action that will improve the roadworthiness of vehicles," VICOAP said.
While the vehicles may still be registered, the owners would be made aware of the current condition of their vehicle. This will pave the way for the gradual shift to the culture of vehicle maintenance and inspection that will redound to safer and more efficient vehicles plying our country's roads, the group said.
"The provision will also allow us, in the MVIC (motor vehicle inspection centers) industry, to introduce our services, instill in motorists the importance of vehicle inspection, dispel unfounded fears, and improve our services to serve them better," it said.
VICOAP also said that, through the MC, they would be able to contribute to preventing road crashes, "which often result in the senseless loss of lives and injuries that have great socio-economic implications." "Thus, we are one with the DOTr and LTO (Land Transportation Office) in this endeavor," it said.