Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has directed the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to introduce alternative payment options, including cash, for services at private motor vehicle inspection centers (PMVICs). This decision addresses complaints about the exclusive use of online payments, which impose an additional PHP65 fee on top of inspection costs. Lopez emphasized the impact of this fee in a statement, saying, “Malaking halaga ang 65 pesos, pwede na nila itong gamitin sa ibang bagay gaya ng pamasahe at pagkain. Lagi natin dapat isipin kung paano mas magiging maayos ang serbisyo natin sa publiko (65 pesos is a big sum, they can use this on other things like fare and food. Let’s always think of how to improve public service).” The order aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push for more convenient government transactions.
Lopez also instructed the PMVIC Authorization Committee to issue a show cause order against a PMVIC highlighted in social media complaints for limiting payment methods. He stressed the need for flexibility, stating, “Dapat maraming payment options, including cash. Paano naman ‘yung mga walang online mobile wallets? Dapat may cash, dapat mayroon ding other payment options na available. Let’s be flexible (There should be many payment options, including cash. What will happen to those with no online mobile wallets? They should accept cash and other payment options).”
The LTO clarified that the vehicle renewal facility (VREF) in question is located at a nearby PMVIC, not inside the LTO office in Angono, Rizal. VREFs are online centers set up by LTO at PMVICs to facilitate renewals. This setup stems from a 2020 agreement with Paynamics, implemented in 2022, which charges a convenience fee for online transactions. The agreement is due to expire this month.