For the first time since the new Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) drew public criticism, the Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines (VICOAP) has come out in the open to air its side.
VICOAP president Iñigo Larrazabal defended the existing testing fees—P1,800 for light vehicles and P600 for motorcycles—saying that they cover a 60-point vehicle roadworthiness check, which is a far cry from the old emission testing.
“If you do the math, that comes to around P4 a day. And for motorcycles, it comes out P1.80 per day. I think this a very good marking for our safety. We cannot put a price on human lives,” said Larrazabal.
“It is not an apples-to-apples comparison,” he added, referring to private emission testing centers. The VICOAP head explained that each private motor vehicle inspection center (PMVIC) owner has invested between P50-P60 million to import the necessary testing equipment as well as to construct the facility. Larrazabal did not give a definite reply on the return of investment issue for PMVIC owners, but instead delved into the importance of road safety for everyone.
When asked about the possibility of PMVICs lowering the vehicle testing fees, Larrizabal replied: “For our program to be sustainable, hindi na po pwedeng babaan kasi we have to assure the quality of our service. ”
Larrazabal assured that corruption will be minimized if not totally eradicated under the MVIS because there is less human intervention involved in the process. His group also appealed to motorists to give the new system a chance in order to promote road safety in the country.
