Once completed, the proposed new site of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Virac district office at Palnab del Sur will have a Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC).
This was indicated by the site development plan unveiled during the groundbreaking of the site last Oct. 6, 2021 led by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Congressman Hector Sanchez and Governor Joseph Cua.
Also present during the ceremony were Mayor Peter Cua of San Andres, Mayor Glenda Aguilar of Caramoran, Mayor Cesar Robles of Panganiban, Mayor Emeterio Tarin of Viga, Mayor Vicente Tayam of Gigmoto, Mayor Jose Paolo Teves III of Baras, Mayor Francisco Camano Jr. of San Miguel, Mayor Juan Rodulfo of Bato and Mayor Sinforoso Sarmiento of Virac.
Of the 5,000 square meters of idle land donated to the LTO by the JC Cua Group of Companies, 500 square meters has been allotted for the district office and 200 meters to the PMVIC, along with 1,000 square meters for an impounding area.
The compound will have a spacious parking area and another building to house medical clinics, insurance offices and a canteen.
A source told the Tribune that access to the interior lot will be provided by a proposed road to the San Isidro Village road network and another, shorter link to the nearby provincial road in Palnab.
Under an original policy of the LTO, motorists are supposed to be required to have their vehicles tested for roadworthiness at the PMVICs in their respective areas as a prerequisite for renewal of car registration.
There is no PMVIC in the province, with the lone center in Bicol located in Albay province, which would entail additional expenses for car owners from the island.
Last August 2021, Sec. Tugade ordered the suspension of mandatory testing at the PMVIC within so-called “geographic areas of responsibility” (GAOR), with the LTO directed to maintain the previous registration process where motorists can choose between a PMVIC and a Private Emission Testing Center (PETC) for the required vehicle inspection.
Thanking Gov. Cua and municipal mayors for working in tandem with the government, Sec. Tugade promised to have the proposed LTO Virac district office funded and its construction started within the remaining months of the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.
In response to a request of Cong. Sanchez, the DOTr chief said the expansion of the port of Virac to enable handling of greater volume of cargo and strengthen the local economy will be given priority.
He also vowed to have the Virac airport lengthened by at least 200 meters and improved to it can have night rating, thereby allowing night flights to and from the island.
Earlier, the governor cited the need for the new LTO district office, considering that the old site is only about 300 square meters in area and the building about 45 years old already.
He said the new 5,000-square meter site could be a one-stop shop for vehicle owners in Catanduanes as it could house the LTO, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the PNP High Patrol Group offices.
Cua likewise thanked the LTO regional office, represented by assistant director Vincent Nato for taking up the matter with Sec. Tugade.