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(NAR) VOL. 19 NO. 1 / JANUARY - MARCH 2008

[ DENR-DTI-DOTC JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 1, S. 2007, December 07, 2007 ]

AMENDED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE MONITORING OF ACCREDITED AND AUTHORIZED PRIVATE EMISSION TESTING CENTERS (PETC) AND LTO EMISSION TESTING ACTIVITIES



SECTION 1. Authority -

1.1 WHEREAS, Section 21 of Republic Act 8749 also known as the Philippine Clean Air Act f PCAA) of 1999 mandates the DOTC, together with the DTI and the DENR, to establish the procedures for the inspection of motor vehicles and the testing of their emissions,

1.2 WHEREAS, the same section empowers the DOTC to authorize private emission testing centers (PETCs) duly accredited by the DTI;

1.3 WHEREAS, under Section 3, Rule 34 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Clean Air Act of 1999, the DENR has the responsibility of regulating specifications of the emission testing equipment to be used in conducting emission tests;

1.4 WHEREAS, under Section 8, Rule 35 of the IRR of the CAA, the DENR, through, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), shall certify conformity to standards of emission test equipment before it can be used for mandatory emission tests;

1.5 WHEREAS, Section 35 of DTI-DOTC Joint Administrative Order f JAO) No. 01, series of 2001 "Guidelines for Accreditation and Authorization of Vehicle Emission Testing Centers" states that "DTI and DOTC/LTO shall undertake joint monitoring and inspection activity on all accredited and authorized Private Emission Testing Centers (PETC)", and

1.6 WHEREAS, DENR DAO NO. 03, series of 2005 "Operations and Maintenance of Opacimeters and Gas Analyzers Certified by the DENR-EMB to be used by PETCs" states that the DENR has authority to automatically revoke the certifications issued to PETCs for their emission test equipment and prohibit said PETCs from operating their equipment.

In consideration of the above premises, the following are hereby prescribed for the compliance, information, and guidance of all concerned.

SECTION 2. Objectives - The objective of this Order is to ensure that emission testing prior to renewal of motor vehicle registration, redemption of confiscated license plate(s), and registration of imported used and rebuilt vehicles, as required by the Clean Air Act of 1999, is properly implemented. Specifically this Order aims to:

2.1 Monitor and ensure compliance of PETCs and LTO Emission Testing facilities/activities with the provisions of the Philippine Clean Air Act (PCAA) 1999, with Articles 4 to 9 of the DTI-DOTC JAO No. 1, series of 2001, and with other relevant orders, rules and regulations set by the DENR, DOTC and DTI.

2.2 Ensure that no motor vehicle will be registered without undergoing and passing the Emissions test as required by the PCAA.

2.3 Ensure the integrity of emission testing by the PETCs and LTO as reflected in the official DOTC Certificate of Emission Compliance (CEC).

SECTION 3. Scope - This Order establishes guidelines and procedures for the following:

3.1 Monitoring the compliance of accredited and authorized PETCs and LTO Emission Testing facilities/activities with pertinent provisions of the PCAA and DTI-DOTC JAO No. 1, series of 2001; and

3.2 Monitoring of the implementation of emission testing prior to registration, which is a requirement of the PCAA.

This Order is hereby issued without prejudice to the accreditation and authorization Powers of DTI and DOTC, respectively.

CEC - Certificate of Emission Compliance
DENR - Department of Environment and Natural Resources
DOTC - Department of Transportation and Communications
DTI - Department of Trade and Industry
Flagged - APETC or LTO District Office marked for supplemental monitoring based on the criteria provided herein.
Irregularities -
Deviations from the accreditation and authorization terms and condition and from emission test protocols as specified in pertinent DENR/DTI/DOTC issuances and the PCAA-implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs).
   
IT Provider - A company engaged in information technology that provides electronic data services to the LTO
   
LGU - Land Government Unit
LTO- Land Transportation Office
MMDA- Metro Manila Development Authority
NGO - Non-Government Organization
Non-Appearance - Generation of a test result and subsequent issuance of CEC or Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) without conducting actual emission test on motor vehicle
PCAA - Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 or Republic Act 8749
PETC -

Private Emission Testing Center (DTI Accredited and DOTC-LTO authorized)

Reference Test Result-

Test result obtained from an emission test conducted on the Test Vehicle by an accredited and authorized PETC

Service Area-

consists of several PETC lanes clustered into a specific operational area based on acceptable distance traveled by a motorist seeking emis­sion testing of his vehicle

TESDA - Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
Test Vehicle- A vehicle with a verified emission test result
Volunteer- An individual from an NGO who is an observer in the Monitoring Team

SECTION 5. Organization-5.1 PETC Monitoring

National Executive Committee

There shall be a PETC National Executive Committee (NEC) who shall ensure the proper implementation of this Order.

5.1.1 Composition of the NEC

a. DOTC Undersecretary for Road Transportation-Chairman

b. DTI Undersecretary for ConsumerWelfareand Trade Regulation Group -Member

c. ADENR Undersecretary - Member

The NEC shall have the following specific functions:
a. Ensure that immediate action is taken against PETCs and LTO testing facilities found violating the provisions of this JAO;
b. Provide and set the necessary policy and administrative directions to effectively implement the JAO;
c. Create an inter-agency national Technical Working Group (TWG) that will. provide technical secretariat assistance to the NEC;
d. Recommend and endorse to appropriate government agencies, such programs and policies that are necessary to support the operationalization of the JAO, including budgetary requirements for implementing the JAO; and
e. Recommend and endorse to appropriate government agencies the proper action against emission testing centers and government officials/staff found violating the provision of this JAO.
5.2 Regional PETC Monitoring System

The NEC, through the DOTC, shad create a Regional PETC Monitoring System to ensure the effective implementation of this JAO in the field. In this regard, the NEC hereby creates a Regional Monitoring Committee (RMC) and authorizes the RMC to create its Regional Monitoring Team (RMT).

5.2.1 Regional Monitoring Committee (RMC)
The Regional Monitoring Committee (RMC) shall be mainly responsible for co- . ordinating the actual monitoring activities in the regions. It will be headed by the LTO-Regional Office Director and shall have the following as members:

- Regional Director or Assistant Regional Director of the DTI Regional Office;

- Regional Director or Pollution Control Division Chief of the DENR-EMB Regional Office; and

- Regional Director or Assistant Regional Director of the TESDA Regional Office

* Provided, however, that when monitoring is done on an LTO testing facility/ activity, the chairmanship of the RMC shall be rotated between DTI and DENR. Moreover in this case, LTO shall also inhibit from relevant RMC decisions.

The RMC shall have the following specific functions:

-Nominate respective representatives (permanent and alternate) to the RMT;

-Provide oversight guidance to the RMT in the actual conduct of the PETC monitoring;

-Approve the monitoring plan of the RMT:

- Ensure that immediate and necessary action and proper penalties as provided for u nder this JAO are imposed on violations against the provisions of th is JAO, as validated in the monitoring reports using department/agency's respective adjudication procedure;

- Review and evaluate the monitoring reports of the RMT;

- Submit quarterly monitoring reports, including RMC's minutes of meetings, to the NEC: and

- Prepare an annual technical and financial work plan to be submitted to the NEC The Chairman of the RMC shall.have the following responsibilities:

-Act as lead convenor of the RMC during its meetings: and

- Ensure that all the responsibilities/functions of the RMC shall be under taken

5 2.2 Regional Monitoring Team (RMT)

Each RMT shall be composed of the following members:

A Regular Members 1. Team Leader - a representative from LTO Regional Office

2. Team Members- a representative from the DTI Regional Office, DENR- EMB Regional Office or their respective relevant Provincial Office and TESDA Regional Office

B. Observers - may be invited and shall serve on a case-to-case basis who may be a representative of the:

1. LGU where the PETC is located;

2. Office of the Regional Ombudsman;

3. NGO advocating Clean Air, or

4. Media
The RMTs are tasked with monitoring all PETCs and LTO facility/activity in their jurisdictions at least once a year i.e., total number of monitoring visits to be spread across the year.

The RMT shall have the following responsibilities:

a. Review pertinent documents pertaining to the PETC/LTO facility to be visited before the actual monitoring;

b. Implement detailed procedures for monitoring; consistent with the rules of engagement set by the National TWG and approved by the NEC:

c. Ensure proper and regular calibration of testing equipment;

d. Monitor activities of PETC, and

e. Prepare and submit to the RMC its monitoring report/recommendations within three working days after the conduct of monitoring activities.

The Team Leader of the RMT shall have the following responsibilities:

a. Inform team members of the schedule of monitoring activities and assign tasks to each team member;

b. Conduct a brief pre-monitoring meeting with team members;

c. provide documents to be used by the team during onsite monitoring;

d. Conduct a brief post monitoring evaluating meeting with team members; and

In cases, wherein the LTO testing facility is the subject of the monitoring, the LTO Team Leader shall inhibit himself/herself from any involvement in the monitoring. Furthermore, the Team Leadership shall be rotated between the DTI or DENR representatives.

The Team Members shall have the following responsibilities;

Perform assigned tasks in the morning; and

Report their findings and observations to the.team during the post monitoring meet ing.

All RMT members, including observers, shall undergo a Training on Monitoring Procedures, to be conducted by the National TWG. The training program shall be approved by the NEC.

5.2.3 Regional Secretariat
A RMC Secretariat, based at the Regional LTO shall also be created. This secretariat shall provide administrative and logistics support to the RMC and the RMT.
5.3 National Technical Working Group (NTWG)

An inter-agency national technical working group (TWG), led by the DOTC-Road Transport Planning Division shall be created. It will be supported by a DOTC-based administrative support group.

The members of the inter-agency national TWG shall be as follows:
- A representative of the DENR-EMB Central Office;
-A representative of the DTI Centra! Office;
-A representative of the LTO-Central Office;
-A representative of an NGO with advocacy on clean air; and
- Other development partners may be invited by the NEC as advisor/observer
The TWG shall assist the NEC in coordinating and implementing activities pertinent to the provisions of this JAO. Specifically, the TWG shall have the following functions:

a. Review and update the rules of engagement in monitoring PETCs, which must be fol lowed by all RMTs;

b. Conduct a comprehensive orientation for all regional monitoring teams on the implemen tation of the JAO;

c Evaluate the reports of the RMC and prepare recommendations to the NEC:

d. Formulate and recommend to the NEC. appropriate policy actions that need to be taken by relevant government agencies outside of the Committee:

e. Validate reports of the RMCs, as necessary:

f. Provide guidelines that will facilitate inter-agency coordination;

g. Undertake spot-check monitoring of LTO-operated regional emission testing facilities as necessary, and report findings to the NEC;

h. Review and analyze PETC data/reports submitted by LTO !T Service Provider/LTO's MID as basis for conduct of supplemental monitoring on PETCs with possible irregularities-

i. Conduct regular coordination meetings with RMCs;

j. Review request for funds by the RMCs and endorse to the NEC, for approval; and

k. Prepare an annual work and financial plan which will be submitted by the DOTC Undersecretary for Road Transportation to the Road Board.

SECTION 6. On-site Inspection and Monitoring of PETC

6.1 Types of PETC Inspection
The RMT shall conduct the following types of inspections:

- Mandatory On-site inspection - The mandatory method in the conduct of regular PETC monitoring, which shall be conducted exclusively within the premises of the PETC.

- Supplemental Inspection - The use of covert methods in inspecting PETCs on a supplemental and case-to-case basis as in the case of those reported to have committed irregularities in the conduct of emission tests. This type of inspection may only be conducted upon prior approval of the RMC and must be based on a report or complaint as provided for in section 8.1 herein.
SECTION 7. Procedure for Mandatory On-site Inspection of PETC - The RMT, upon arnvai at the PETC premises, shall inform the PETC operator that an on-site inspection shall be conducted. The PETC operator shall be required to produce/disclose the foliowing requirements:
a. Valid PETC accreditation and authorization
b. Record of CEC issued for the month being monitored including copies of receipts issued.
c. Certificate of calibration of test equipment
d. Valid technician certification, issued by TESDA
e Valid technician authorization, issued by LTO
f. Test equipment interfaced with the PETC-IT system
g. Serial number of test equipment that corresponds to the accreditation record
The RMT shall also refer to the Annexes of this JAO to evaluate the PETC's compliance/performance vis-a-vis their certificates of accreditation and authorization.

SEC TION 8. Procedure for Identification and Monitoring of Irregularities -

8.1 Basis for Supplemental Monitoring ofPETC and LTO-Testing Center

The basis for flagging a PETC and/or LTO-Testing Center for supplemental monitoring shall include among others any of the following;

a One-complaint reported thru a telephone call or text messages to the national or regional offices of LTO, DT! and DENR/EMB against a PETC or LTO-Testing Center.

b. One written complaint received by the national or regional offices of LTO, DTI and DENR/ EMB, against a PETC or LTO-Testing Center.

c. Analysis prepared by the TWG (from LTO IT Service Provider or LTO-MID reports) show ing unusually high numbers of tests conducted by PETCS vis-a-vis number of lanes, un usually high or low rate of vehicles passing/failing the emission tests; or discrepancies in the number of CECs issued by the PETCs or LTO Testing Center and the number of motor vehicle registrations issued by an LTO-DO on a per month basis.

8.2 Flow of Complaints and Reports of Irregularities

All complaints and reports of irregularities must be documented by the Regional Secretariat and National TWG. The report shall contain the following information:
a. the name of the PETC or LTO-Testing Center;
b. the specific violations committed; and
c. the name and contact number of the complainant.

- Complaints received by a Regional LTO/DTI/DENR office through text messages, telephone calls or written reports must be immediately relayed to the RMC Secretariat and within one (1) week to the RMC, with a copy furnished the National TWG.

-Complaints received by any of the central offices of DTI. DOTCor DENR must be immediately relayed to the National TWG, who shall then convey the information to the RMC concerned for its action.
The RMC shall immediately act on the documented report on complaint by dispatch-ln9 the RMT to undertake supplemental inspection. The RMT shall submit its inspection to the RMC within 3 working days after the inspection is made. Findings of irregularities by the RMT shall be conveyed by the RMC to the appropriate regional directors for immediate action. The RMC shall also be required to submit a report to the NEC together with the action{s) taken.

8.3 Discrepancies in the issuance of CEC and Motor Vehicle Registration

DOTC shall mandate its PETC Information Technology (IT) providers, LTO-MID and 'O-Regional Offices to furnish the TWG a monthly report on data uploaded by PETC specially the number of vehicles tested and CECs issued per PETC or LTO testing facility . Indicators that will be examined by the TWG include, among others the following-
- Number of tests conducted per day vis-a-vis the number of lanes, using the following reference ratios:

- 32 tests per day fordiesel vehicles based on 15 minutes test duration -48 tests per day for gasoline vehicles based on 10 minutes test duration

-Rate of vehicles passing the emission tests using 90% passing rate as initial cutoff;

- Number of CECs issued by the PETCs' or LTO Testing Center vis-avis the number of motor vehicle registrations issued by an LTO-DO on a per month basis.
The TWG shall prepare its analysis of the above indicators as basis for supplemental spection of the PETCs or LTO testing facility. A report/recommendation shall then be jbmitted to the NEC to secure endorsement on subsequent action to be taken by the MCs. The endorsement by the NEC shall then be conveyed, through the TWG, to the MCs for its appropriate action.

SECTION 9. Monitoring Procedure for Reported Tampering of Test Results by PETC or LTO-

9.1 Roadside Monitoring-
a. An RMT shall be dispatched to the vicinity of a flagged testing center.
b. A vehicle that has just completed an emission test and has just exited the premises of the flagged testing center shall be flagged down by the RMT.
c. This vehicle shall be subjected to an emission test to be conducted by the RMT.
d. The results of the emission tests conducted by the RMT and the flagged test center shall then be compared. If the result shows discrepancy (plus or minus 15% whether passed or failed) between test conducted by the flagged testing center and the RMT, a mandatory on-site calibration on the testing equipment of the PETC shall be conducted at the expense of the center and with the presence of the RMT.
9.2 Monitoring Procedure for Reported Non-Appearance Cases
9.2.1 Issuance of CECs for Vehicles Without Undergoing Actual Emission Test

The RMT shall verify the actual number of vehicles tested by the PETC or LTO Testing Center by posting personnel who shall conduct actual count of vehicles tested for at least one day. The personnel shall report the number of vehicles to the RMT. This information shall be compared with the number of CECs issued . by the PETC for that specific day. If the number of CECs issued is greater than the number of vehicles that entered a particular PETC, then a violation shall be deemed to have been committed.

9.2.2 Registration of Vehicles Without Undergoing Actual Emission Test

The RMT shall verify the actual number of vehicles tested by a PETC or LTO Testing Center by posting personnel who shall conduct actual count of vehicles tested for at least one day. The personnel shall report the number of vehicles to the RMT This information shall be compared with the number of motor vehicle registrations for that specific day. If the number of motor vehicles registered is greater than the number counted plus CECs received, then a violation shall be deemed to have been committed.
9.3 Flexibility of Operations - The RMT or the TWG, with the approval of the RMC or the NEC, respectively, may implement other covert means, such as, but not limited to entrapment operations, in verifying any reported violations committed by entities/individuals against the provisions of this JAO.

SECTION 10. Reporting - The RMT shall furnish the RMC or NEC, as case may be, a Monitoring Report and Recommendations within three (3) working days after the conclusion of the monitoring.

SECTION 11. Budget - The budget for the operationalization of this Order shall be charged against the Motor Vehicle User's Charge (MVUC)- Special Vehicle Pollution Control Fund (SVPCF), the Air Quality Management Fund (AQMF), or other sources.

SECTION 12-Penalties -

Government Personnel -DOTC, LTO, DTI and DENR personnel found to have committed any violation of the provisions of the PCAA and its Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be investigated by their respective Departments for corresponding administrative iiability and by the Ombudsman for criminal liability.

PETC Operator and Personnel - PETC operator and personnel found to have committed irregularities shall be penalized in accordance with Section 46 of the PCAA, Rule 55 Section 2 of PCAA-iRR, Section 45 of the DTI-DOTC JAO No. 01 series of 2001 and DTI DAO 3, 2002. Annexes I*, II* and III* of this JAO provide a complete list of the violations and their corresponding fines/penalties.

SECTION 13. Adjudication - Adjudication procedures for violation of this JAO shall follow the respective adjudication processes o fthe DOT-LTO-DTI, and DENR.

13.1 DTI Adjudication - In the case of DTI, existing adjudication procedure shall be fol lowed.

13.2 DOTC Adjudication - In the case of DOTC-LTO, only the Assistant Secretary for LTO as the final authority to suspend and cancel the authorization of the PETC after due Process.

13.3 DENR Revocation - In the case of DENR, the Director of the DENR-EMB Central

Office has the authority to revoke the certificate of emission test equipment issued tn th PETC.

SECTION 14. Repealing Clause - All orders, memoranda, and issuances found in consistent with this Order are hereby modified or revoked accordingly.

SECTION 15. Effectivity - This Order shall take effect after 15 days, following th publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.

The original copy of this Order shall be filed and kept in the DOTOAdministrative Services (AS). Three (3) certified copies of this Order shall be filed with the UP Law Center by the DOTC-AS within seven (7) days after the Order is signed.

Adopted: 07 Dec. 2007

(SGD.) JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources

(SGD.) LEANDRO R. MENDOZA
Department of Transportation and Communications

(SGD.) PETER B. FAVILA
Department of Trade and Industry




* See page 696 appendix 1 and 2.
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