Fixing still rampant at San Carlos Smoke Test Center

Grease cash is again required to pass at San Carlos Emission Testing Center.

This is as proven by the story of a source and vehicle owner, who asked not to be named and had a vehicle tested on August 22.

The source told that her vehicle had recently undergone repairs and overhauls at Berting Machine Shop at the National Highway and that it was already in perfect condition before it was brought to the testing center located at San Julio Realty, Inc. grounds.

Stencil document

After paying P 430 as testing fee (for which an official receipt was issued), the owner paid another P 150 for a stencil document bearing the plate number of the vehicle, but this other payment was not recorded on an OR.

The test had then been conducted but technicians said the vehicle's carbon monoxide levels are far too high for the standards.

The vehicle was brought back to the auto mechanic who then told the owner that her vehicle was already the fourth who came to his shop because of smoke emission test problem. All vehicles are in top shape.

Grease money                  

The mechanic added that nothing more could be done to fix a vehicle without mechanical problems and he advised that she give the technicians the grease money they had been waiting for to save trouble and further delay in renewing the vehicle's registration.

The source said that they went back to the testing center and asked technicians there what could be done. Based on the uniform blue t-shirt bearing the name of the testing center, the source said that a technician named Dennis Garcia proposed a settlement at P 500 for the vehicle to pass the test but that she had given him only P 400.

The technician, who is also identified as the cashier, received that money but complained that it may not be enough for him to share with his co-workers. The owner reasoned that only P 400 was left in her pocket. And, the transaction completed, the vehicle was given a passing mark of carbon monoxide level.

But she witnessed that   the other vehicle owner who was also trying to get a passing mark gave the technician his P 500 demand.

NRWP undercover

Upon NRWP's investigation, it was found that indeed the testing center has technicians who offer a fix for vehicles who can't pass the smoke test.

Posing as the owner an SUV, NRWP asked a technician how he could help since the vehicle failed the test at a center in Bacolod City. He said that he has to see the vehicle first but assured that they (technicians) can find ways to give it a passing mark. However, he did not disclose how much should be paid for a passing mark.

What to do?

The source and vehicle owner now asks if the Land Transportation Office-San Carlos District or the local leaders could act on the rampant extortion and fixing at the smoke emission testing center.