The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has issued a memorandum order that reinstates the daily limit on the number of vehicles that are allowed to undergo testing at private emission testing centers (PETCs).
“In the exigency and best interest of the public, and with the imposition of less stringent community quarantine measures and the gradual resumption of operations of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and emission testing sites, Section 6.6 of the Department Order 2012-10 is reinstated effectively immediately,” according to the document signed by DOTr undersecretary Atty. Reinier Paul Yebra.
Section 6 of DO 2012-10 (click here for the full document) limits the number of vehicles that may undergo testing at PETCs as follows:
- Thirty-two (32) tests per day for diesel vehicles based on 15-minute test duration
- Forty-eight (48) tests per day for gasoline vehicles based on 10-minute test duration
On July 6, 2020, the above-mentioned limits were lifted to reduce the testing backlog at PETCs—and, subsequently, the vehicle registration backlog at LTO field offices—that had resulted from the imposition of COVID-19 lockdowns and strict health protocols.
But with the gradual return of normal operations at LTO field offices, the testing limit at PETCs is now being reinstated—meaning each facility may test a maximum of 32 diesel vehicles and 48 gasoline vehicles, for a total of 80 vehicles. The DOTr has also instructed PETCs to revert to their original business hours of 7am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays.
According to our sources, during the period that PETC testing limits were lifted, each facility tested, on average, about 150 to 180 units per day.
Currently, there are still many PETCs dealing with long queues. Some motorists argue that this latest move by the government is being used as an opportunity to convince vehicle owners to avail themselves of the services of private motor vehicle inspection centers instead. Do you think so, too?
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopBikes.ph. Minor edits have been made.
