The operator of two private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (MVICs) in Bohol province has agreed to suspend a pilot program that eliminated manual and visual inspection requirements for vehicle registration, following a directive from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Tonton Uy, operator of the Tagbilaran and Tubigon MVICs, confirmed his compliance during an interview with DyTR News on Friday.
The program was officially halted on April 1, 2025, in accordance with a memorandum issued by LTO Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II on March 25, 2025.
“We will follow the directive from the LTO and DOTr, as they are the policymakers,” Uy said. “We remain committed to supporting their decisions as we move forward.”
The pilot initiative, implemented through the Tagbilaran Vehicle Inspection Center (TAVIC) and Tubigon Vehicle Inspection Center (TuVIC), aimed to simplify the vehicle registration process by removing the traditional manual and visual inspection steps at LTO district and extension offices.
The effort was part of a nationwide plan by the LTO to modernize and digitalize its services, especially in regions where the agency lacks the capacity to perform full roadworthiness evaluations.
MVICs, which are privately operated but accredited by the government, are equipped with automated testing equipment to assess key safety components of vehicles, such as brakes, suspension, lights, and emissions. They were introduced in recent years as part of the DOTr’s vehicle roadworthiness enhancement program, with the goal of reducing human error and corruption while improving safety standards.
However, the suspension of the pilot signals a shift in policy.
Although the LTO memorandum did not cite a specific reason for halting the program, it may indicate a reassessment of the initiative’s readiness or a response to concerns raised by stakeholders.
The decision affects motorists in Bohol who had relied on the streamlined process offered by the MVICs in cooperation with local LTO offices.
With the pilot on hold, traditional inspection methods are set to resume until further notice.
Uy assured the public of his willingness to cooperate with authorities. “We will always support the LTO and DOTr as we strive to improve our services,” he added.
The MVIC program, though initially controversial, has gradually been integrated into the LTO’s modernization roadmap. Its continued evolution remains closely watched by transport stakeholders and vehicle owners nationwide.