Transport groups have asked the Department of Transportation to suspend the operations of Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers, or PMVIC, until issues on their legality, pricing and standardization had been resolved.

The groups were led by the National Confederation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines.

NACTODAP president Ariel Lim slammed as “unreasonable” the closure of Private Emission Testing Centers to give way to PMVICs.

Lim revealed that many motorists could not renew their vehicles’ registration due to the low number of PMVICs that could serve them.

Other registrants, especially those living in far-flung islands and provinces, are forced to spend more time and money on vehicle testing, he added.

According to the DoTr, there are only 99 PMVICs that are currently operating nationwide.

The project has been repeatedly flagged by the Commission on Audit due to service delays and alleged undue payments.