So, we think we finally have some idea as to what President Rodrigo Duterte meant when he said that the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) is no longer mandatory.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Duterte’s order means motorists can now choose between fulfilling Land Transportation Office (LTO) vehicle registration requirements at a private motor vehicle inspection center (PMVIC) or a private emission testing center (PETC).
“Ang pagkakaunawa po namin ngayon sa kautusan ng ating mahal na pangulo at ng Malacañang, ang ating mga motorista ngayon ay pwede na pumunta sa PETC at tsaka PMVIC para sa pagrehistro ng kanilang mga sasakyan,” DOTr assistant secretary Giovanni Lopez said during a recent press conference.
“Ang pagkakaunawa po namin.” Yeah. Something tells us even the DOTr isn’t sure about this. If this truly is the case, though, there’s still an advantage to visiting a PMVIC over a PETC to get your LTO requirements in order.
PMVICs will still perform a full roadworthiness check despite agreeing to bring their testing fees down. Private motorists need only shell out P600 for an inspection. That’s the same fee PETCs are charging for just an emissions test. Also, if you fail, there’s no need to pay for a re-inspection fee provided you return within one year of your initial inspection. However, if you’re looking for an easy ‘pass,’ a PETC might be the way to go.
Again, we have to point out that nothing here is set in stone until the DOTr or the LTO releases something in writing. As of now, though, this is the definition of “not mandatory” the two agencies are going with. So, let us know in the comments whether you’ll be visiting a PMVIC or a PETC.
