VICOAP 'pleased' over LTO, Dermalog reconciliation

The Vehicle Inspection Centers Operators Association of the Philippines (VICOAP) expressed optimism regarding the recent joint statement issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and its information technology (IT) provider, Germany-based Dermalog to sort the issues faced by the motoring public when transacting with agency.

It can be recalled that LTO and Dermalog officials have been involved in a public dispute over the recent delays in processing motor vehicle and license renewals using the agency’s online portal. 

According to the LTO, one of the solutions pursued by the agency and Dermalog is the activation of the Motor Vehicle Registration Information System (MVRIS). Additionally, LTO and Dermalog officials will meet in the coming days to finalize the implementation of MVRIS in the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) public portal.

“Our organization is pleased by this development since we can now focus on providing services to the end-users of LTMS, majority of which are our clients. Likewise, we hope that with this renewed effort, we can now focus on boosting the modernization of our country’s vehicle inspection system where PMVICs play a major role. Most importantly, this development can help us move forward in attaining our end-goal of ensuring that our vehicles are roadworthy as one of the major aspects of road safety,” said VICOAP President Aaron Cabiltes.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Teofilo Guadiz recently issued a statement saying he fully supports the implementation of MVRIS for the renewal of vehicles as it will reduce the lines in LTO branches.  Per Guadiz, the activation of MVRIS in LTMS will give way for vehicle owners to renew registration without needing to line up at LTO offices around the country.

In a recent budget appropriations hearing for the Department of Transportation (DOTr), House Deputy Minority Leader Bernadette Herrera expressed her dismay over the rampant non-appearance practices in the renewal of vehicle registrations.

Herrera asked LTO Chief Guadiz what the agency is doing to avoid such unscrupulous activities. Guadiz responded that the installation of the private motor vehicle inspection centers (PMVIC) allows the LTO to monitor the transparency of actual inspections being conducted by the licensed technicians.

He added that the LTO seeks to minimize the number of private emission testing centers (PETCs) since the existence of these centers do not reflect the actual registration and are breeding grounds for the non-appearance ruse.

Guadiz assured Herrera that more PMVICs are soon to be established in addition to the one hundred that are already operational after the lawmaker asked how they can increase the number of MVICs in the country.

Cabiltes welcomed the pronouncements of Herrera and Guadiz as an indication that the role of the vehicle inspection centers is now being acknowledged as a pillar of public service in ensuring that the vehicles plying on our streets are safe.

Photos from Vicoap – Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines, Land Transportation Office – Philippines’ Facebook pages and Inigo Larrazabal

Also read: 

VICOAP supports government’s stance on ensuring vehicle roadworthiness

VICOAP blasts ‘vilification’ vs. PMVIC sector

VICOAP observes Road Safety Month by renewing commitment to corruption-free, tech-driven service