SENATOR Lito Lapid Jr. wants to know why smoke-belching as well as dilapidated vehicles continue to ply major thoroughfares to the detriment of the public’s health and safety. 

He filed Resolution No. 413 asking the appropriate Senate committee to inquire about the registration and renewal process for both private and public vehicles to address the proliferation of smoke-belching and dilapidated vehicles to safeguard the welfare of the general public.

Lapid noted that vehicles are required to be registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) where  emission testing and actual inspection of motor vehicles are conducted.

“There is also a need to review as to how the LTO conduct their motor vehicle inspection because countless dilapidated vehicles with varying degree of impairment ranging from broken tail lights to the use  of mineral water containers as makeshift gas tanks continue to roam our streets, thus posing danger to the general public especially motorists and commuters,” he said.

Lapid noted that the emission test is a mandatory procedure that measures pollutant emissions of engines, and as such is aimed at reducing pollutants that are detrimental to the environment with particular focus on improving the quality of the air.

The actual inspection of motor vehicles is being required to inspect and determine, through a comprehensive checklist called the motor vehicle inspection report to indicate if the vehicle being registered is safe and in good working condition to travel.

Lapid deplored that while the LTO supposedly follows the “strict guidelines” in the registration of new and old vehicles, smoke-belching and dilapidated vehicles “are regularly seen plying the streets.”

“There is a need to implement rules or guidelines as to how to properly discipline and penalize erring private emission testing centers which allow smoke-belching vehicles to continue plying our streets,” he said.