2 QC dads seek to regulate PETCs

MANILA, Philippines - Two Quezon City councilors have sought to regulate the establishment and operation of private emission testing centers (PETCs) in the city.

In a proposed ordinance, Councilors Gian Carlo Sotto and Jesus Manuel Suntay said there have been reports that some unscrupulous PETCs are issuing certificates of compliance to motor vehicles even without undergoing smoke testing.

“Since 2010, there were reports of erring PETCs that conduct anomalous mandatory car smoke emission testing and engage in so-called ‘non-appearance’ cases,” the councilors said.

“Such cases resulted in the proliferation of black smoke-spewing vehicles littering the streets and highways of the metropolis,” they added.

Under the measure, the local Business Permits and Licensing Office and the Environment Protection and Waste Management Department will be tasked to monitor and conduct frequent inspection of work areas and personnel of all PETCs in the city.

The departments are also tasked to check all required documents and prepare inspection reports on every PETC in the city.

Meanwhile, Councilor Alexis Herrera proposed an ordinance that will require dealers and retailers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to have weighing machines in their establishments.

“It is the right of every consumer to demand for an accurate weighing method of the goods that he is buying,” Herrera said.

He said that while the pumps at gasoline stations are calibrated by the Energy Regulatory Board, LPG consumers have no way of determining if the amount of gas inside the tank was correct.

“In most cases the consumers have to rely on the honesty and goodwill of the distributor or dealer,” the councilor said.