THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
The Department of Trade and Industry issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 20-40 to ensure that Private Emission Testing Centers (PETCs) with expiring certificates of accreditation and located in an area where a community quarantine is still in effect will remain operational.
The intent of a testing center is to determine the level of the opacity and/or to analyze the content of the gaseous emission of a motor vehicle. Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 8749, otherwise known as the “Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, the DTI is mandated to develop and implement standards and procedures for the licensing of qualified private service centers and their technicians. Under Section 32 of the DTI and Department of Transportation and Communications (currently Department of Transportation) Joint Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2001, the certificate of accreditation is valid for three (3) years unless sooner canceled voluntarily or if the PETC committed any of the prohibited acts. As stated in the same guidelines, the application for renewal of accreditation shall be filed within three (3) months before its expiration.
Given the circumstances, the DTI issued MC 20-40 to ensure that all PETCs with expiring certificates will remain operational during the period of community quarantine. The guidelines apply to all PETC holders of Certificates of Accreditation expiring during the period of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), Modified ECQ and General Community Quarantine (GCQ), and the declared business address of which is also declared under community quarantine.
As stated in the circular, “PETCs shall be allowed to operate under the same terms and condition, unless their Certificate of Accreditation is revoked or canceled by virtue of a decision rendered against said PETC for any reason other than term validity.”
“We recognize the important role of these PETCs, not to mention the impact of this pandemic on them, that is why the DTI considered giving two (2) months allowance after the lifting of the GCQ to give them time to adjust with their resources and the necessary health protocols,” says DTI Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo.
Strict monitoring and enforcement activities of the DTI Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau and the DTI regional and provincial offices will resume upon the lifting of the GCQ to ensure compliance by the PETCs with the accreditation requirements.
The general public is advised to check the list of all accredited PETCs through https://www.dti.gov.ph/konsyumer/accredited-private-emission-testing-centers-petc/.For more information about the guidelines, kindly send a message to CPAB@dti.gov.ph