RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE SENATE COMMITTEES TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE EFFICIENCY OF EMISSION TESTING CENTERS IN THE ISSUANCE OF EMISSION COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AS ONE OF THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE BEFORE A VEHICLE IS PROCESSED FOR RENEWAL REGISTRATION

Whereas, Republic Act (RA) No. 8749 otherwise known as the “Philippine Clean Air Act” was approved last 23 June 1999. One of its primary objectives is to maintain the quality of air and protect human life from the dangers of air pollution. The national government should be able to provide for a holistic national program of air pollution management through cooperation and self-regulation to be mainly focused on pollution prevention rather than control;

Whereas, RA 8749 and its implementing rules and regulations provide that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), through the Land Transportation Office (L TO), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall formulate and implement the National Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program that will promote the efficient and safe operation of motor vehicles and ensure the reduction of emissions from motor vehicles. The inspection and maintenance program requires all vehicles, as a requisite for renewal of registration, to undergo mandatory inspection to determine compliance with the in-use emission standards;

Whereas, interagency collaboration and cooperation had indeed been a challenge since the passage of the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and thereby giving rise to the need to assess the enforcement capacity of these agencies since they share the responsibility in the management and maintenance of air quality in the country. The continuing increase in motor vehicles, lack of mass public transit system, and worsening traffic conditions further contribute to increasing air pollution;

Whereas, there had been reports that the private and public emission testing centers in LTD are remiss in their duties in properly implementing the law through the issuance of false emission compliance certificates (ECCs). Needless to state, all motor vehicles (MV) must comply with exhaust emission standards prior to registration and operation in public highways. However, some emission testing centers in both private and public levels engage in illegal transactions by allowing motor vehicles to avail of a non-appearance scheme or ghost testing of these . vehicles wherein they made it appear that said vehicles are inspected and subjected to the tests in exchange of additional fees;

Whereas, the national government should be able to provide a quick systematic solution to the proliferation of these false ECCs in order to promote overall motor vehicle safety and prescribe an intensive convergence program towards the full implementation of the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved to direct the appropriate Senate committees to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the efficiency of emission testing centers in the issuance of Emission Compliance Certificates as one of the basic requirements of the Land Transportation Office before a vehicle is processed for renewal registration.

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