Car smoke test firms deny conflict of interest

MANILA, Philippines - Private emission testing centers have shrugged off a claim by another group that the cross-ownership of PETCs result in a conflict of interest and irregularities in the smoke emission testing process at the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Antonio Halili, Private Emission Test Center Operators Association (PETCOA) president, said the Association of PETC Owners/Operators for Environmental Protection and its technical director Macario Evangelista should first prove their members are not involved in smoke emission test irregularities before they can hurl accusations against PETCOA and the Coalition for Clean Air Advocates (CCAA).

“LTO officials know which are the dubious PETCs that engage in non-appearance and other irregularities in smoke emission testing that are destroying the integrity of the whole smoke emission testing process, which just seeks to rid our streets of smoke-belching vehicles,” he said.

Halili said CCAA and PETCOA opposed the LTO’s direct connect facility project, which has reportedly resulted in the upsurge of non-appearance cases since it was started earlier this year. He said Evangelista’s group reportedly supports the project, which was nearly scrapped by LTO chief Alberto Suansing following complaints from PETCs.

The smoke emission test is a requirement for the renewal of registration of a motor vehicle as provided in Republic Act 8749, the Clean Air Act, to remove smoke-belching vehicles from major thoroughfares.