Section 21 of Article 4 of Republic Act No. 8749, known as the œPhilippine Clean Air Act of 1999 , mandated DOTC as the lead agency in the enforcement of the emission standards for motor vehicles. The act further provided that corresponding Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) shall be promulgated by concerned government agencies within one (1) year after the passage of said law.

Now, therefore, this Department, concerned with the exigency of combating air pollution problems and pursuant to the provisions of RA 8749 and consistent with DENR Administrative Order No. 2000-03, hereby issued the following policies and guidelines in the enforcement of vehicle emission standards and other related activities relevant to air pollution mitigation:

1.         The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is the agency of this Department tasked to enforce the permissible emission level of vehicles. To effectively carry out this program, said Office may deputize other law enforcement agencies, local government units (LGUs), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other government agencies in accordance with LTO Memorandum Order No. 98-108. Further, that Office is instructed to prepare operation plans and programs to enforce this Order and to report the same to the Office of the Secretary.

2.         Unless otherwise updated, the permissible emission limits and test procedures defined in DENR Administrative Order No. 98-46 will remain as the basic standard and shall properly observed.

3.         No new motor vehicle submitted to LTO for initial registration shall be allowed to be registered without a valid Certificate of Compliance (COC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). New motor vehicles shall include the following:

- Vehicles designed and manufactured using brand new engines and spare parts in the Philippines.

- Vehicles assembled in the Philippines using original and brand new parts and components imported into the country either semi knocked down (SKD) or completely knocked down (CKD).

- Second hand completely built up (CBU) vehicles imported into the Philippines and are submitted to DOTC/LTO for initial registration.

4.         To ensure compliance of motor vehicles with the emission standard prescribed in DENR DAO 98-46, all vehicles must satisfactorily pass the emission test of the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) smoke emission testers or any of the authorized emission testing centers before renewal of registration of vehicles is allowed. Consequently, garage testing of buses, trucks and similarly situated vehicles shall henceforth be discontinued.

5.         Pending any upgrade, all smoke emission testing centers shall follow the test fees and charges describe below:

a.    Pollution control device or gadget	P110.00
b.    Exhaust emission of registered gasoline/diesel driven vehicles with or without control devices (Idling tests)	P40.00

6.         Any person violating PD 1181, as modified, and/or any provision of these Rules and Regulations involving the same vehicle shall, for the first offense be liable to a fine of not exceeding P200.00, for the second offense to a fine of not exceeding P500.00 and for the third and succeeding offense to a fine of not exceeding P1,000.00 plus the suspension of his vehicle ™s certificate of registration, until such time as there shall be compliance with the requirements of these Rules.

All Order and Memoranda which are deemed inconsistent with any provision of this Order is hereby superseded, revoked and/or modified.

This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its submission of three (3) copies hereof with the UP Law Center pursuant to Presidential Memorandum Circular No. 11 dated 09 October 1992 or publication in the newspaper of general circulation.

Adopted: 17 Jan. 2000

(SGD.) VICENTE C. RIVERA, JR.
Secretary