A DAY after some 4,000 motorists, most of them tricycle drivers and operators, staged a protest against the resumption of the mandatory testing of vehicles in Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVIC) before registration in Urdaneta City, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) ordered the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend the implementation of the PMVIC again.

The PMVIC in Urdaneta City is one of three PMVICs already established in Pangasinan, the other two are in Dagupan City and Alaminos City. A report said the PVMIC in Dagupan. located in Barangay Mayombo, resumed its operations last August 20 based on a DOTr Memorandum Circular No. 2021-02 issued last month.

Members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) of Urdaneta organized a protest action last August 23 to denounce the memorandum of DOTr that directed the mandatory testing of vehicles by PMVICs in the country, the requirement adds another financial burden during the pandemic.

Anticipating motorists in Dagupan City to stage a similar protest action before the PMVIC in Dagupan City, enforcers of the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) were deployed in the area in the morning of August 24. To their relief, the PMVIC in Barangay Mayombo closed operations for disinfection of premises after 10 of its workers reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.

And unlike Urdaneta Mayor Parayno who granted protesters a permit to assemble, Dagupan Mayor Brian Lim reportedly refused to grant the group a permit to assemble for a protest rally in front of the PMVIC in Dagupan.

Before the DOTr ordered the suspension of the MC  2021-02, personnel at the LTO office in Dagupan refused to comment or explain the circumstances behind the resumption of PVMIC operations.

On the other hand, Second District Board Member Von Mark Mendoza vowed to pass a resolution again that will seek the suspension if not abolition of motor vehicle inspection by PMVICs.

“I will take a stand that in this time of the pandemic, our people need not bear additional expenses that will only make their lives more miserable”, Mendoza said, adding that the SP will again invite representatives of the LTO in their next regular session to shed light on the matter.

He stressed that road worthiness is important but in the midst of the pandemic, the people need not be given additional financial burden to carry that will only make their lives harder. (Leonardo Micua)

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