LTO defers enforcement of rule on vehicle parts

CEBU, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office-7 has deferred enforcement of the provision in the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2014-01 particularly on defective, improper, and unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment and parts.

During the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza last Tuesday, LTO-7 Director Arnel Tancinco announced the deferment in response to questions why there are still many vehicles particularly public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in Metro Cebu without proper headlights. Some even have none at all.

Tancinco cited that before the JAO was issued, they had around four PUJs a night apprehended in Guadalupe area in Cebu City.

“Vehicle accessories pertaining to… nagkinahanglan og inspection sa sakyanan, gi-defer namo ang implementation because we wanted to improve the capability and the functionality sa Motor Vehicle Inspection Center,” said Tancinco.

Mid this year, Tancinco said they have the assessment of a third party contractor and they need to spend about P5 million to fully furnish and fully equip to operate the MVIC one hundred percent.

“As far as we are concerned, wala’y balibad ang central office but the problem is on the issue on providing us when to do that,” Tancinco said.

He said the issue being discussed with the public-private partnership (PPP) division committee of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) is the issue on how to outsource.

“Mao na among dilemma karon because one issue is, private sector can operate better than us,” Tancinco said.

Tancinco said the higher office is discussing how to prevent the recurrence of the issue on Private Emission Testing Centers (PETC).

“Even sa objective sa PETC naa gihapoy issue sa mga binuang, I think one criteria to outsource sa MVIC is international track record on inspection,” he said.

The target to bid it out is before the end of the year and to award it in 2015.

JAO No. 2014-14 provides a penalty of P5,000 for motor vehicle operating without or with defective, improper, or unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment and parts.

This includes bells, horns, sirens, whistles, blinkers, brakes, early warning device (EWD), grills, jalousies, brake (foot and hand brakes), brake lights, headlights, interior lights, signal lights, tail lights, mirrors, mufflers, metallic tires or spare tire, speedometer, windshield, wipers or any other accessory, device, equipment or part that is manifestly prejudicial to road safety.

However, Tancinco said they have no basis on the standard accessories from the manufacturers.

“We cannot apprehend sa defective nga suga when we cannot say unsa nga klase nga suga iyang gamiton,” he said.

He said that auto and motorcycle dealers promised to give them the list.

“As soon as we have that list, orders will come in that it will be basis for us to use so we can start using that as basis for enforcement,” he said.

As of the moment, Tancinco said they are focused on “colorum” and helmet violations. — (FREEMAN)