The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has shut down several emission testing centers in Tagbilaran City due to “anomalies.”

Vicente Gador, chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Tagbilaran District Office, reported to the Tagbilaran City Council on Friday that four private emission testing centers were closed for falsification of emission test results through various means.

Gador, during the council’s regular session, said that some centers incorrectly used their testing apparatus or probe but the applicant’s vehicle still passed the test.

Others also submitted “manipulated” photos to misleadingly show that the vehicle underwent testing.

“Naay mga pictures na walay device, walay probe. Ning posing lang tong personnel. Naa puy uban na ang taw na gayaka gi-copy paste gibutang sa sakyanan sa lain na picture just to make it appear na nag-conduct og emission test when in fact it was not done,” he said.  

After the shutdown of the establishments, only five emission testing centers in the city remained.

This prompted the City Council to pass a resolution appealing to DOTr Sec. Arthur Tugade to consider the application of more applicants who want to run testing centers.

Gador approved of the legislative body’s initiative.

He said that it would be more convenient to the public if the number of testing centers goes back up to nine. But he noted that the remaining five establishments have been able to cope with the bulk of applicants. (AD)