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Monday, March 10, 2003
In Cebu, firm owns 4 emission centers
By Elias O. Baquero
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
NINE private emission testing centers (PETCs) are now in Central Visa-yas since this requirement for the registration and renewal of registration of vehicles was finally implemented last Feb. 3.
Of the nine PETCs, four belong to JPV Emission Testing Center located at V. Rama Ave., Cebu City; Sangi, Lapu-Lapu City; Carcar, Cebu; and Danao City.
JPV stands for Jim P. Velez, the owner who is based in Manila, according to overall supervisor Harvey Osme-ña. According to Osmeña, he and Velez are not related to politicians anywhere in the country.
Osmeña said Velez invested about P20 million to establish smoke testing centers for vehicles. Two equipment units, one for diesel and another for gasoline, cost about P900,000 to P1 million each.
The idea of putting up a testing center turned up in 1999 but they did not push through because this business was too risky, Osmeña said.
Velez finally decided to invest on emission-testing centers in June 2002 and rented the four areas for the centers.
When the smoke emission test was finally started last Feb. 3, Osmeña said their four centers began to serve an average of 200 private vehicles per day.
They charge P300 per test per vehicle.
The rate was said to have been approved by an inter-agency committee composed of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Economic Development Authority (Neda).
Test fees
Osmeña admitted some sectors are criticizing the project and even speculating that private testing centers clear smoke belchers for a fee, but added that they wouldn’t do so because they want to be credible.
In Mandaue City, there are three PETCs: Tol-Ceb-Ta Pollution Testing Co., Nikkei Pollution Testing Co. and VGL Testing Center, all located in Barangay Looc.
Manager Eddie Rosello said both Tol-Ceb-Ta and Nikkei belong to businessman George Bian of Davao City. VGL, on the other hand, is owned by Vicente G. Laba of VGL Trucking Services.
Tol-Ceb-Ta and Nikkei serve an average of 200 vehicles per day. They charge P300 for motorcycles and most vehicles, and P450 for those with six wheels or more.
The other two PETCs in Central Visayas are located in Bolocboloc, Sibulan, Negros Oriental and in Talungon, Bais City.
Memorandum Circular RTL-03423 issued by DOTC Assistant Secretary Roberto Lastimoso last Jan. 28 provides that all public utility vehicles (PUVs) shall undergo testing at the Motor Vehicles Inspection System (MVIS) in Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
Clean air
MVIS will collect only P40 for motorcycles and tricycles, P90 for light-duty vehicles (such as jeepneys and taxis) and P115 for buses and trucks.
In Tagbilaran City, the emission testing fee is reportedly P50 only because the Bohol Provincial Government purchased emission testing equipment for all vehicles.
There were reports that some investors in Cebu want to put up PETCs but were not accepted, although several areas where LTO offices are located have no smoke emission testing centers. These include Toledo City, Bogo, Cebu, Siquijor, Jagna town in Bohol and Dumaguete City.
Emission testing is mandatory under the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, which mandates the state to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful environment.
(March 10, 2003 issue)
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