Readers speak on EPIRA, PhUVs and ROROs

We have several letters from readers giving additional feedback on the topics in previous columns, as well as responding to other readers’ letters. One is from Pete Merritt Jr. Please read on.

“This is a rejoinder on your column about NPC (National Power Corp.) and the suggestions made by (Hector) Campos Sr., former vice president. I was also an employee of NPC for 23 years and had my early retirement in 2001 due to the financial crisis.

“Prior to NPC, I also worked with Meralco for 11 years. Anyway, I second the motion/suggestions of Campos. His recommendations are focused more on correcting the acute problems caused by EPIRA (Electric Power Industry Reform Act) on the economy in general.

“For myself, if we want to make a big impact for the improvement of the power sector, we should focus on improving the economy of scale of the industry.

“Prior to the EPIRA, we had good economy of scale. What was necessary then was to rehabilitate NPC, the major power producer, and make additional improvements in the efficiencies of the grid.

Big mistake

“The whole exercise of chopping NPC to pieces and selling its assets to small generators was a big mistake. The power industry is characterized in a way that one must have a big asset base to produce cheap power.

“The power crisis that is looming in the horizon is a repeat again of the crises scenario we had during the time of Pres. Cory and Ramos. It seems that we are not learning our lessons. I blame this to bad politics and just sheer greed.

“The early retirement package given to NPC employees then without reservations whatsoever was a big loss to NPC. I think NPC lost a number of good people who could otherwise contribute further to its operations.”

Remember the PhUV

The next letter sender is Francisco A. Astilla IV, who reminisces on the Philippine utility vehicles (PhUV) of the ‘70s. Here’s what he remembers”

“I read through your article today at The Philippine Star on “An automotive roadmap that’s out of tune” with great interest. It led me to recall a news item back in 2007 that greatly lifted my spirit and my faith in the Filipino spirit. 

“In the Business World and another newspaper on May 5, 2007 was an item from the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP) about the launch of a prototype of what would have been the vehicle by the Filipinos, for the Filipinos – the “PhUV.” 

“Based on the old Toyota Tamaraw (wasn’t this also bannered as the Pinoy car of the ’70s-’80s?), and the Mitsubishi L300, the PhUV was designed for the very same market segment you mentioned – the Filipino farmers and SME entrepreneurs.

“Whatever happened to this? Was it “drowned-out” by the CAMPI (Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc.) horde that did not want an ingenious competition from us local boys, and thus lose a significant portion of a market that they could not serve anyway?

“I drove a ’80 Tamaraw HSPU back in 1980-1982, in my small-time business trading in sugar, eggs, and other agri products. Except for a non-business related event that forced me to get out of that business, I had nothing but good experiences with that AUV. So the PhUV was naturally a welcome development for me.

“If today the PhUV will come off the assembly line, I will be one of the first to line up for a unit. Or two.”

On ROROs

And last, let’s hear from Victorino Halasan on the urgent need to upgrade the safety of our ROROs. Here’s what he says:

“I am very happy that you have written a column about the Roll On Roll Off (RORO) ferry in our country.

“Your wish list to stop importing second hand ROROs 5000 GRT and below that are 20 years older should be granted by MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority).

“Since MARINA is mandated to handle the Maritime industry in this country, they should be the driving force to institute drastic changes in the Philippine shipping industry. The paramount thrust of the agency should be:

“1. Safety of life at sea

“2. Safety of property and cargo

“3. Protection of the environment

“The Philippines is a signatory country of the International Maritime Organization. MARINA should chart and plan the Philippine shipping industry in accordance with IMO.”

2014 National Collegiate Championship

The Elite Eight stage of the Champions League 2014 National Collegiate Championship starts today at the Cebu City Coliseum. Five of the finest teams from Manila will compete, with the three best teams of Southern Islands all of which are based in Cebu.

Leading the Manila teams are the 2013 national collegiate champion De La Salle Green Archers, current UAAP champion National University Bulldogs, five-peat NCAA champion San Beda College Red Lions, Far Eastern U Tamaraws and Arellano U Chiefs.

Defending their home court are the CESAFI champion Southwestern U Cobras, CESAFI runner-up University of San Carlos Warriors, and the winner of Visayas-Mindanao qualifying games, University of Visayas Green Lancers.

The Elite Eight teams are divided into two groups, Group A is composed of National U, DLSU, Arellano U and USC. In Group B are SBC, SWU, FEU and UV. Group A teams compete against Group B, and the four top teams out of the eight advance to Premier Four stage.

After Cebu City, the remaining Elite Eight games will be held at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

All Cebu Elite Eight games are covered by ABS-CBN Sports and Action channel and will be aired twice, starting 10:30 pm on the same game day and replayed the following day starting at 2 p.m. up to 6 p.m.

The Champions League 2014 National Collegiate Championship is sponsored by media partners ABS-CBN and Philippine Star, Phoenix Petroleum, Molten Balls, Fil-Oil Flying V Sports, Fog City Creamery and Foccacia. Tickets are available at SM Tickets online.

Visit the PCCL website (CollegiateChampionsLeague.net) for more details/information on the National Collegiate Championship and like our official Facebook fan page (Philippine College Champions League).

Facebook and Twitter

We are actively using two social networking websites to reach out more often and even interact with and engage our readers, friends and colleagues in the various areas of interest that I tackle in my column. Please like us at www.facebook.com and follow us at www.twitter.com/ReyGamboa.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.