Senate recommends cancellation of ‘half-baked’ privatized vehicle inspection policy
THE SENATE public services committee has recommended the repeal of the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) order delegating motor vehicle inspection system to private operators.
Under Committee Report No. 184, the panel chaired by Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares said the order is “half-baked” and will have to go through the legislative process.
“The policy of ensuring only roadworthy vehicles ply our roads is commendable. However, a half-baked policy is a bad policy and this Committee won’t stand for it,” the report read.
“In the meantime, the repeal of DoTr DO (Department Order) 2018-19 and all related issuances is recommended,” it added.
The committee also said that while the fees have been lowered and the testing from accredited private centers is now optional, several issues relating to the new policy remain unresolved.
The report noted the absence of consultation and lack of transparency in the accreditation of private centers. It also said that of the target 458 private inspection sites, only 24 are operating and all for light vehicles only.
The committee also “strongly recommended” a probe on the “highly anomalous transactions surrounding the accreditation of PMVICs (private motor vehicle inspection centers) and the officials complicit and involved therein” by the Senate committee on accountability of public officers.
“There is no doubt that we all want safer roads for everyone. The sudden roll-out of a new vehicle registration system that is undisputedly burdensome to our motorists is hardly the way to do it,” the report read.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte last week ordered a recall of the policy. At the same time, the DoTr announced that private inspection centers agreed to lower their fees. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas
