A nationwide brake testing inspection of public utility vehicles (PUVs) has raised concerns about their roadworthiness.
According to a report from the Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines (VICOAP), 47.3% of the PUVs tested failed to meet the required brake safety standards.
The nationwide inspection, conducted from January to September 2025, involved testing over 1.71 million commuter units.
VICOAP report that 737,215 of these vehicles operated with substandard brake systems or failed to meet the benchmark braking performance standards. This accounted for nearly half of the units tested.
The organization also attributed several commuter fatalities to faulty brake systems in these PUVs.
“Behind every crash is a preventable failure, and many of them start with the brakes… Our goal is to offer solutions backed by data,” VICOAP spokesperson Lester Cavestany was quoted as saying.
“Every unsafe vehicle on the road is a risk we can prevent… Brake testing isn’t bureaucracy — it’s a life-saving measure. Every data point we collect represents a family that gets home safely,” he added.
Reports said that VICOAP is urging government and transport authorities, along with industry stakeholders, to enforce stricter brake-testing protocols and improve maintenance standards across the board.
Meanwhile, the figure revealing the high number of PUVs with substandard brake systems has raised concerns among Filipinos, many of whom have voiced their reactions to the report.
“Totoo ‘yan! Ang daming nabibiktima niyan dahil hindi kumagat ang [brake],” a Facebook user wrote in response.
“Ilan diyan hindi gumagana headlight? Or [signal] indicator? Or [brake light]?” another Pinoy commented.
“Grabe, kaya dami silang aksidente,” a different online user wrote.
“PERO NAKAKALUSOT SA REHISTRO,” another Pinoy commented with thumbs down emojis, referring to the PUVs during vehicle registration.
“Ang strict sa private cars tapos nganga sa PUVs na mas marami pang buhay na bitbit,” a different online user said.
“Minsan nga sobrang hina ng preno e, walang tail light, walang mga signal light, wala din headlight,” another Pinoy commented.
PUVs refer to any motor vehicle that provides public transportation for a fare, including jeepneys, buses, vans, taxis and tricycles.
To ensure the safety of both drivers and passengers, these vehicles must be equipped with an efficient braking system.
Experts emphasize that a properly functioning braking system is crucial for preventing accidents and safely stopping the vehicle in emergency situations.
For brakes to perform optimally, they require regular preventive maintenance to ensure their continued effectiveness.
