ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has suspended the operations of six local Private Emission Testing Centers (PETCs) due to infractions.
Noel Noche, transportation regulation officer of the Land Transportation Office-Zamboanga, said Wednesday the suspension has effectively brought to only four PETCs currently accredited by the DOTr to conduct emission testing of motor vehicles here.
“They committed violations so they were suspended. They have to pay fines,” Noche said without elaborating on the violations committed by the six PETCs.
“They were monitored to have committed violations by the DOTr,” he added.
Noche noted that the lack of emission testing centers here has caused headaches for owners of vehicles to register or renew their registration with the LTO.
For instance, he said applications have to line up as early as 5 a.m. to secure a certificate for registration.
He said existing testing centers cannot cope with the average of 500 vehicles that are registered daily although there are two new private motor vehicle inspection centers (PMVICs) that have recently opened to do emission testing, including inspection of vehicles.
However, the two new PMVICs, which also inspect the brakes, signal lights, tires, and other accessories of a motor vehicle, can only register up to 250 vehicles daily.
A vehicle is required to undergo emission testing and inspection before it can be registered or renew its LTO registration. (PNA)
