Group questions IT firms' role in government car smoke testing process

MANILA, Philippines – A group of private emission testing centers has questioned the legality of four information technology (IT) firms providing connectivity and other computer services to PETCs in the government’s vehicle emission testing process.

Rodolfo Susi, president of the Alagaan Natin Inang Kalikasan (Anikalikasan), said there was no legal basis for the PETC IT providers – namely RDMS, Cyberlink, Eurolink, and ETC IT – to serve as “middlemen” in the verification and authentication of Certificates of Compliance (COCs) issued by the PETCs.

Car owners need a COC to renew the registration of their vehicles with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Susi said the service provided by the four PETC IT firms can be provided directly and at lower cost by the LTO’s exclusive IT provider, Stradcom Corp.

“We want to know why the LTO and the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) allow these four PETC IT firms to operate and charge P80 per emission test when PETCs can connect directly to the LTO and so pay less than P20 per test,” Susi said.

Anikalikasan earlier criticized the P80 fee imposed by PETC IT firms, saying the direct connection facility currently being pilot tested by the LTO with Stradcom only costs P60.

Apart from this, Anikalikasan questioned why the LTO had not taken action when the PETC IT providers had increased their fees from P50 to P70 then to P80, all without LTO approval.

Antonio Halili, president of the PETC Operators Association of the Philippines, defended the PETC IT providers’ higher fees, saying it was justified considering the enhanced service they provide to PETCs.

“It’s not all money. There are enhancements in the service they provide which ensure the integrity of the smoke emission testing process and the honest-to-goodness implementation of the Clean Air Act,” Halili, who also operates one of the four PETC IT firms, said.

Among the enhancements, Halili said, was the “Eagle Eye” camera service which is an additional video camera check that actual smoke emission testing is conducted on a vehicle seeking renewal of registration.

Halili cautioned the LTO on accepting the information given by Anikalikasan and Susi, who he said operated several PETCs earlier closed down for engaging in so-called “non-appearance” cases as well as owing unpaid fees to a PETC IT provider.