SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday, August 23, reaffirmed his support for calls to further review the implementation of the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) of the Land Transportation Office to help alleviate the burdens of ordinary Filipinos particularly motorists amid the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a manifestation delivered on Monday, Aug 23, during the Senate session, Go reassured his colleagues that President Rodrigo Duterte listens to the opinions and recommendations of legislators and the general public. He pointed out that the President had earlier ordered the suspension of the inspection scheme last February to allow the LTO to further study and address the issues raised by various stakeholders.

“To the sponsor, Senator Grace Poe, and — with due respect to my fellow Batangueño — Senator Ralph Recto, hindi naman rare occasion pong nakikinig ang ating Pangulo. Parati nakikinig ang ating Pangulo, lalong-lalo na ‘pag interes ng bayan at interes ng karamihan ang nakataya dito,” said Go.

“It was brought up by Madame Grace before at sumang-ayon naman ang Executive, si Pangulong Duterte, dahil ayaw niya talagang pahirapan ‘yung Pilipino sa panahon ngayon, lalong-lalo na ang dami pong reklamo dito (sa MVIS),” he added.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Public Services, Go called on Transport Secretary Authur Tugade to address the concerns raised by legislators regarding the MVIS implementation.

The Department of Transportation had issued a memorandum circular on July 5, which makes it mandatory for light vehicles and motorcycles to be inspected by a Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) as a requirement for registration in LTO district and extension offices falling within such center’s Geographical Area of Responsibility (GAOR).

The circular also directed all LTO offices to only accept Motor Vehicle Inspection Reports from authorized PMVICs within their Geographical Area of Responsibility (GAOR).

“I am urging Secretary Tugade, na ipaliwanag ito, na bakit inimplementa kaagad. The bottomline here is nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya. Iba ang sitwasyon ngayon. Huwag natin pahirapan ‘yung mga kababayan natin,” reiterated Go, who noted that the new guidelines imposed may bring difficulties to motorists.

“Iyung issue ng GAOR o ‘yung Geographical Area of Responsibility … nakausap ko ‘yung isang (regional director) at sabi niya, ‘yung iba ay nagbabyahe pa ng as far as 150 kilometers just to have (their vehicle) tested bago sila maka-rehistro, dahil napakalaki ng scope (nito),” he said.

The senator called for the implementation of the MVIS to be reviewed further and ensure that it does not add burden to ordinary Filipinos while still ensuring compliance with existing laws. He expressed confidence that President Duterte will also address the matter to protect the welfare of ordinary citizens.

“Panahon siguro na bisitahin muna itong MVIS. Hindi ito napapanahon na iimplementa sa ngayon. Naghihirap ang ating mga kababayan at hindi ito dapat gawing mandatory sa ngayon,” said Go.

“Ulitin ko lang, nakikinig parati ang ating Pangulo. Even to my colleagues here, nakikinig siya parati sa inyo. Sa pagkaalam ko, sang-ayon din siya sa atin na dapat munang i-revisit ito at mahirap (dahil) nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya. Sa pagkakaalam ko, kakausapin niya si Secretary Tugade tungkol dito sa issue ng MVIS.”

Go however clarified that ensuring roadworthiness of vehicles must still be upheld and such mechanisms must be done in a safe, convenient, and efficient manner taking into consideration the current situation of the country.