Vicoap: Road safety is national concern

In observance of Road Safety Month last May, the Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines (VICOAP) continues its advocacy for vehicle inspection as a cornerstone of proactive road safety with a roundtable discussion entitled “Driving the Future: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at VICOAP and PMVICs.”

“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.Our goal is to raise awareness that inspections aren’t just a requirement—they’re a tool to save lives,” said Atty. Lester G. Cavestany, the Vicoap spokesperson.

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 and industry stakeholders. Today, over 130 PMVICs operate nationwide, 80 of which are Vicoap members and collectively servicing more than 2 million vehicles each year.

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 (wheel alignment); Speedometer accuracy; and Emission levels.

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 (sideslip) tests; 5.3% had speedometer issues; 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.Our data helps inform policy and educate the public about recurring risks on our roads,” said Atty. Lester.

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.

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

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

The Vicoap is a private, non-profit organization committed to ensuring road safety and environmental compliance by promoting standardized and comprehensive vehicle inspections across the Philippines.  It is committed to enhancing road safety in support of the Department of Transportation’s Road Safety Action Plan, ensuring that PMVICs play a vital role in conducting thorough vehicle inspections that go beyond just emissions testing. In collaboration with the DOTr, LTO, and the Philippine government, Vicoap strictly upholds guidelines to deter fixers and ensure all vehicles are properly inspected — positioning PMVICs as an essential solution for ensuring roadworthy vehicles for the safety of all road users.