PMVIC Group: Half of all PUVs tested failed to meet brake safety standards
PMVIC operators pushes for reforms to include mandatory brake testing on PUVs
How many times have we seen or heard news reports of public utility vehicles (PUVs) getting into road crashes, with “lost brakes” (nawalang ng preno) cited as the cause? According to data from the Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines (VICOAP), this recurring problem is backed by hard evidence: half of all PUVs tested failed the brake test, which says a lot about how serious the issue really is.
According to VICOAP’s nationwide brake test results between January and September 2025, the organization reported that 47.3%, or nearly half of all PUVs inspected, failed to meet the Philippines’ brake safety standards. This alarming statistic tells the critical importance of regular and preventive vehicle inspections in safeguarding the millions of Filipinos who depend on public transportation every single day.
“Behind every crash is a preventable failure, and many of them start with the brakes,” said Atty. Lester Cavestany, Spokesperson for VICOAP. “Our goal is to offer solutions backed by data. We want to support government agencies like the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in developing standards that make vehicle safety a shared responsibility.”
Additionally, a study presented by WRNumero Surveys for Good (S4G) 2025 revealed that 8 in 10 Filipinos fear being involved in road accidents. Their study further noted that lower-income commuters, who rely heavily on public transportation, expressed the greatest concern for road safety.
Mikael Degilla, Head of Public Affairs and Compliance at e-Sakay, emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, “What makes this issue urgent is that it affects the everyday Filipino commuter. As roads get busier toward the holidays, we need to ensure that PUVs on the road are fit to carry passengers safely home.”
VICOAP emphasized that the group aims to encourage policymakers to draft or strengthen existing vehicle inspection regulations by making brake testing mandatory for all PUVs. This initiative aligns with the DOTr’s Road Safety Action Plan, which seeks to reduce traffic-related fatalities by 35% by 2028.
At present, only emissions testing is mandatory, a requirement that may soon lose relevance with the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), which produce little to no emissions.
“Every unsafe vehicle on the road is a risk we can prevent,” added Atty. Cavestany. “Brake testing isn’t bureaucracy—it’s a life-saving measure. Every data point we collect represents a family that gets home safely.”
As the Philippines marks the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims later this month, VICOAP reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and collaboration toward building safer roads for all.
