Brake Check Now

VICOAP and several road safety groups are urging the government to make brake testing mandatory for public utility vehicles after new data showed that many PUVs still operate with unsafe braking systems.

The call was made during a media roundtable in Taguig City, held ahead of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. VICOAP presented its brake test results from January to September 2025, showing that 47.3 percent of inspected PUVs failed to meet minimum brake safety standards. The group said this signals an urgent need to strengthen regular inspections to protect everyday commuters.

Participants from e-Sakay, De La Salle University, WRNumero, and the Philippine Advocates for Road Safety joined the discussion to push for reforms based on real data, not guesswork. WRNumero also shared survey findings showing that eight in ten Filipinos worry about getting into road accidents, with lower-income commuters expressing the most concern.

VICOAP spokesperson Atty. Lester Cavestany emphasized that brake testing is not red tape but a basic safety measure. The organization said it hopes policymakers will refine existing rules and require stricter inspections as part of the DOTr’s Road Safety Action Plan.