Quezon City—The Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines (VICOAP) today said that 3 new modern and automated inspection member facilities are now open to serve the public, and 2 will be ready to open by first and second week of April with the issuance of their respective authorization certificates to operate.

The Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Authorization Committee (AC) of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) have granted the respective Authorization Certificates to the 5 VICOAP member PMVICs, namely: *1) MVIC Bacolod by Cimatech, located in Bredco Port, Bacolod City; 2) CHECK Motor Vehicle Inspection Center, in Lubao, Pampanga; 3) Tagbilaran Vehicle Inspection Center, in Tagbilaran City, Bohol; 4) Blue Circle Motor Vehicle Inspection Center, in Iligan City; and 5) Sta. Clara, in Meycauyan, Bulacan.*

“We welcome the issuance of the certificates to five of our members. The more PMVIC facilities, especially in the regions, the more convenient, comfortable, and accessible for vehicle owners to make sure that their vehicles are in top condition prior to registration,” VICOAP President Iñigo Larrazabal said.

“When we are assured that vehicles are roadworthy and are complying with emission standards, we can rest easy that we will all be able to get to and from our destinations safely. This will decrease the likelihood of a road crash due to mechanical failure,” Mr. Larrazabal added.

The DOTr-LTO AC granted the Provisional Authorization to Operate a PMVIC to the owners pursuant to Memorandum Circular (MC) 2019-009 dated 13 March 20219, and according to the AC-issued Resolution which has a validity of 30 calendar days upon receipt of the Certificate, the timeframe set for the PMVIC owners to comply with the requirements and start their operations.

A PMVIC is a government-authorized facility that conducts roadworthiness and emission compliance tests prior to registration.

It may be recalled that the DOTr issued Memorandum Circular No. MC-SC-2021-01, clarifying that motor vehicle owners have the option to have their vehicles inspected by either an authorized PMVIC or undergo an emission test from a private company and a roadworthiness test at the LTO.

Mr. Larrazabal pointed out that the PMVIC inspection using technology-driven and automated processes ensures the accuracy, reliability, and validity of roadworthiness evaluation for the same fee as that of the emission test provider.

“We, the PMVIC owners, are committed to keeping our Filipinos safe on the road. As advocates of road safety, we believe that roadworthiness is the key to saving more Filipino lives along our country’s streets. We are helping the government and our clients during this pandemic by lowering our fees while still checking the 73-item points, a global best practice,” he emphasized.

He further revealed that with limited human intervention and transparent processes, their clients can be assured of objective processes.

“Gone are the days when the inspection is subjective because PMVICs use automated equipment that actually measure the worthiness of vehicles. The PMVICs are here to get rid of the old practice of non-appearance and ‘under-the-table’ transactions.  These practices are not possible in our system. And, should there be complaints on the systems and processes, clients can come to VICOAP for assistance,” he stressed.

VICOAP is a non-profit and private organization composed of accredited Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (MVIC) in the Philippines and industry stakeholders, with the sole aim of ensuring the roadworthiness and environmental compliance of road vehicles.