As recent road incidents renew national concern around road safety, the Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines (VICOAP) brought together members of the local motoring media in a roundtable discussion titled “Driving the Future: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at VICOAP and PMVICs.”

The roundtable, held in observance of Road Safety Month this May, highlighted VICOAP’s continued advocacy for vehicle inspection as a cornerstone of proactive road safety.

At the event, VICOAP provided an inside look at the automated and globally benchmarked 60+ point inspection process, which covers critical safety systems such as: Brake Integrity, Headlight and lighting function, Suspension and sideslip, speedometer accuracy, and emission levels.

According to VICOAP, data from 2024 revealed key risk areas that inspections help identify 45.1% of vehicles failed brake tests, 37.3% had defective headlights, 9.2% failed alignment tests, 5.3% had speedometer issues, and 3.1% did not pass emission standards.

“These numbers aren’t just statistics. They’re early warnings that, if ignored, could result in preventable accidents,” said Atty. Lester. “Our data helps inform policy and educate the public about recurring risks on our roads.”

Founded in 2020 to support the Department of Transportation’s road safety strategy, VICOAP is a non-profit organization composed of accredited Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVICs) and industry stakeholders. Today, over 130 PMVICs operate nationwide—80 of which are VICOAP members—collectively servicing more than 2 million vehicles each year.

“More than 13,000 lives are lost annually to road crashes in the Philippines. While many factors are at play, roadworthiness is one we can actively manage—starting with thorough and consistent vehicle inspections,” said Atty. Lester G. Cavestany, VICOAP Spokesperson. “Our goal is to raise awareness that inspections aren’t just a requirement—they’re a tool to save lives.”

VICOAP emphasized that PMVICs use fully automated systems to ensure fairness, accuracy, and integrity, removing human discretion from the inspection process. These systems also contribute to valuable datasets that help identify broader road safety trends across the country.

While VICOAP does not regulate or enforce inspection policy, it plays a vital role in supporting science-based standards and educating the public on vehicle safety. Through ongoing dialogue with the government, the transport sector, and the media, VICOAP aims to help build a culture of prevention and accountability on the road.

Through the organization’s initiatives, VICOAP reaffirms its commitment to being an ally in the movement towards safer Philippine roads—by making science-backed, data-driven vehicle inspections a tool not of burden, but of protection.

“Road safety doesn’t begin when we buckle our seatbelts. It starts before the engine is even turned on,” Atty. Lester added. “This is the message we hope to drive forward—with urgency, compassion, and credibility.”