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Click here to view the Background of The Study [PETC 2013 Thesis Part 1]

THE PROBLEM                                         

 

1.2 Statement of the Problem

 

            This study intends to assess the level of company compliance of the motor vehicle Private Emission Testing Centers (PETCs) that do business with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) under the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) rules and regulations on the authorization and monitoring of emission test standards for private vehicles (Department Order 2012-10) to prevent further deterioration of air quality in Cebu City, Cebu, 6000 Philippines.

 

            Specifically, this study intends to answer the following problems:

 

1. What is the demographic profile of the company-respondents in terms of:

1.1. Year of establishment starts operation

1.2. Number of employees

1.3. Services/Products Offering

 

2. What is the compliance of PETC machines in terms of:

2.1. Ratio of MVECT to equipment

2.2. Ratio of equipment to computers

2.3. Ratio of computers to web cameras (or webcams)

 

3. What is the level of compliance of PETC to Department Order 2012-10 according to the MVECTs in terms of:

3.1. Equipment and testing process

3.2. Delegation, management and monitoring

3.3. Test results

3.4. I.T. service

3.5. Overall result of each PETC

 

4. What is the demographic profile of motor vehicle users in terms of:

4.1. Age

4.2. Education

 

5. What is the level of compliance of PETC to Department Order 2012-10 as perceived by motor vehicle users in terms of:

5.1. Testing Process Discrepancies

5.2. Social Awareness and Participation

5.3. Environmental Factor

 

6. What proposal on system improvement can be derived from the study?

 

1.3 Significance of the Study

 

            Transport-related pollution is a major contributor to air pollution. Because of this issue, an independent assessment on the compliance level by PETCs is important in protecting the air, maintaining its quality and stop adding air pollution. This study is timely and relevant to the call for a cleaner air, healthier ecology and strict compliance of existing laws protecting the environment and the citizens.

 

 

To the community

            This study significantly warns the community to be vigilant on emission testing centers.  It is a common knowledge that there are still unscrupulous PETCs. In the short run, it is positive and convenient to the vehicle users but in the long, it does no good to the air quality and to the elimination of corruption in the system. This backfires slowly to the health of the community. Thus, proper testing compliance should be adhered.

 

To the Department of Health (DOH)

            This will help and support the effort of DOH to significantly reduce transport-related air pollution. Proper compliance of PETCs means that pollution is properly managed and is in the acceptable range in the DOH standards.

 

To the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

            The result of this research may be of use to DENR in drafting the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework. This may provide great insights in the field and may further enhance the planning of reducing air pollution.

 

To the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)

            The results herein may give valuable information on how to properly implement the department order and to secure that compliance among PETCs. Achieving the goal of properly monitoring PETCs is not an easy task. This research is an example of a student-researchers initiative to help government agencies implement, monitor and improve the system.

 

To the Private Emission Testing Centers (PETCs)

            This will help the PETCs to evaluate their compliance to the law and to the department orders. It will hopefully help in leveling the playing field for PETCs. Fair competition means good business to those who are playing fairly.

 

To other future researchers

            This may be used by other researchers pursuing similar study. The methods and results may be re-evaluated and verified for decision-making, among other uses.

 

            With all these positive contributions to humanity, the researchers are enthusiastically motivated to pursue this study with tremendous intimacy that possesses a great potential for further exploration of the topic.

 

 

1.4 Scope and Limitations of the Study

 

            This study was conducted in Cebu City last February 2013. Only PETCs in Cebu City were visited and surveyed. All the available MVECTs were surveyed. Group discussions among the MVECTs were done after they answered the survey questionnaires. Only the managers or the in-charge of the PETCs were interviewed. Some provided information were counterchecked through observation such as the number of machines, employees and other observable data in the workspace.

 

            Users who owned private cars and motorcycles were the only chosen respondents that were included. Honesty among the motor vehicle users was assumed and their answers were taken as it is without further verifying the information (such as ownership of the car or motorcycle). The total number of motor vehicle users in Cebu City is large. The respondents of this study were only a small portion of the total population. This is the general constraint in the motor vehicle users survey results.  

 

            Other factors and methods not mentioned in this study were not included.