DTI starts bidding for independent lab to test Montero

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has opened the bidding for a third-party laboratory that would conduct tests on Mitsubishi Montero models for the alleged sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) cases in the Philippines, with results expected to be out by the middle of the year.

With an allotted budget of P9 million for the project, the DTI is inviting interested bidders for the comprehensive test on five Mitsubishi Montero units as well as delivery of the test results.

DTI intends to award the winning bidder by March 24 and expects to receive the test results by May 23.

Trade Undersecretary Victorio Dimagiba said laboratories from Germany, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, India and Denmark have initially expressed interest in participating in the bidding.

Dimagiba earlier said facilities needed for a full vehicle testing are not available locally, which necessitates the need to tap foreign laboratories.

Aside from the third-party laboratory to be chosen via open competitive bidding, the DTI has tapped electronics and mechanical experts to provide services prior to, during, and post-testing procedures.

The third- party experts and laboratory testing are essential in aiding in the investigation of the alleged SUA cases of Mitsubishi Montero in the country.

Dimagiba said the P9 million budget to be shouldered by the government would cover the fee of the vehicle tests.

DTI is shouldering the expenses for the procurement of third-party laboratory to make it completely independent.

Mitsubishi, meanwhile, will pay for the transportation of the vehicle samples abroad.

“The laboratory will conduct full vehicle test. If nothing shows on the full vehicle test, the laboratory will conduct a series of component tests. If the results turned out negative, then that will be the closure of the SUA case,” Dimagiba said.

“If the result is positive, however, the panel will assess the report and we have the Consumer Act to guide us on what to do,” he added.

Under the Consumer Act of the Philippines, the DTI said it could make appropriate order for product recall and prohibit sales of a product found to be injurious, unsafe and hazardous.

DTI said it has received a total 21 complaints regarding the alleged SUA of Mitsubishi Montero models from 2014 to 2016.