THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau, has spearheaded the Visayas leg public hearing on the draft administrative order providing procedural guidelines for the National Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program (NMVIMP).

It is a joint administrative order of the DTI, Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

During the hearing conducted in Bacolod City earlier this month, inputs were solicited from the stakeholders.

These are hoped to be considered in the formulation of the revised rules and regulations related to NMVIMP as well as for service and repair enterprises.

Pursuant to Section 21 of the Republic Act 8749, or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, the three agency drafted procedures on the inspection of motor vehicles and testing of their emissions to determine the concentration and rate of emissions of discharged pollutants.

The draft guideline will ensure the effective implementation of the NMVIMP for the efficient and safe operation of motor vehicles and substantial reduction of emissions.

Also, it aims to create a safer and cleaner society by ensuring only efficient, safe, clean and comfortable vehicles are running on the roads and highways.

The guidelines also defines the responsibilities of the concerned agencies and provides the minimum qualifications of the personnel who will conduct the inspection.

There was also a presentation of the revised rules and regulations for the accreditation of enterprises engaged in the service and repair.

It aims to simplify the existing DTI rules on the accreditation of these entities including the technical personnel employed.

The public consultation was also done to align the implementation of RA 11032 or the "Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018."

The law aims to promote reliable, ethical and competent services conformable with the standards of discipline of the new social and economic order. (EPN)