NAVAL, Biliran, Jan. 24 (PIA) — One of the two smoke emission testing centers in Biliran province reopens to provide services to car owners subjecting their vehicles for annual registration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Felix Obispo, manager of La Naval Emission Center located at Brgy. Calumpang, Naval, Biliran, disclosed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) ordered closure of their establishment on October 26, 2019, for a 90-day suspension for some violations.
The same department ordered the reopening of the smoke emission testing center without expiration provided they commit no violations and until such time that the bigger Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVIC) are established, he said.
With the reopening of la Naval Emission Center, vehicle owners in the entire province of Biliran and neighboring towns from Leyte may avail of the smoke emission testing for their convenience, at lesser risk and lesser expense.
The other smoke emission testing center is still closed for business. The management of St. Anthony Smoke Emission Testing Center could not be reached for update as of this writing.
It was learned from LTO, that the establishment was closed for expired MVTech authority.
Previously, a number of Biliranons have to travel to as far as Ormoc, Albuera, Abuyog, Palompon, Isabel, and Tacloban for the smoke emission testing as required by LTO for the renewal of their vehicles’ registration.
Grace Carsido, LTO-Biliran chief, disclosed that 11 other smoke emission testing centers from Tacloban, Palo, Baybay, Carigara, Ormoc, and Isabel, all of Leyte; Borongan, Calbayog, and Catbalogan, all of Samar island were closed last year for revoked authorities and non-renewal of authorities.
Once the Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVICs) are established, all existing private emission testing centers will be closed, said Carsido.
Currently, LTO has approved the first batch of PMVICs in Region 8 which are located in Tacloban, Ormoc, Maasin, and Calbayog, she added.
