Options other than opening up subdivisions

Last week’s column (Bayani Fernando’s waterloo?) which dwelled on the poised MMDA measure of opening up private subdivision roads to pass through vehicular traffic in order to help ease congestion in the roads of the metropolis elicited a lot of reaction. All were against the idea. Even those who do not leave inside such fenced-in villages join in the howl of protest. Allow me to print for you some parts of two of the letters I received.

Our reader Mr. Reynaldo P. Cruz writes…

"If I may put in my two cents worth, I think it would do MMDA Chairman Fernando a lot of good (not to mention a lot of goodwill) if he could first exhaust the more practical and eminently doable approaches before venturing into this emotionally charged issue of opening up subdivision roads. I think that the good chairman could, for one thing, ensure the full use of existing public roads. Instead of opening up private subdivision roads, he could open up first public roads whose use has been restricted by private entities, a situation replicated many times in many parts of the metropolis."

As an example Mr. Cruz cited the many roads in the Scout area in Quezon City (Barangay Laging Handa), which he said are made closed to vehicular traffic at certain hours by residents who have erected steel gates that are locked at a certain time, thereby denying access to motorists who are then forced to make use of already congested main arteries.

Our reader adds in his letter, "There is another practical and doable scheme, which is the removal of all those unnecessary speed bumps or humps to facilitate the flow of traffic and maximize the use of our roadways."

For this he cites in particular the roads parallel to Kamias and Kamuning streets in Quezon City that are proliferated with these humps placed there by every "Juan, Pablo or Pedro spaced so near each other and are of such heights that one would have to drive on 1st gear all the way."

Another reader, an American, Mr. David Michael Murphy, wrote to say that some months ago he made an ill-considered statement in a letter that said, "access through subdivisions was necessary to relieve the traffic congestion in Metro Manila", which was printed in the Star. However he said that when he made that statement he was thinking in terms of the way it would be done in the US, without taking adequate consideration of the situation in the Philippines.

Mr. Murphy writes, "In the US, owners whose property values are adversely affected by such changes are compensated. This would apply in situations such as new highways or industrial development adjacent to residential neighborhoods and certainly to the appropriation of private roads for public use."

"My understanding is that in the Philippines, property owners receive no such compensation or consideration. I would not have written such a letter if I had been more aware of the different circumstances.

"All things considered, if I had the opportunity I would retract my earlier statement."

"If I had the opportunity to address Star readers for a second time on the subject, I’d say, I changed my mind."

These are only some of the many unsolicited reactions opposing the MMDA move to open private subdivision roads to vehicular traffic. We just pray that by way of making our column a venue for these thoughts of some of the metro’s citizens, the dynamic and hands-on MMDA Chairman, Mr. Bayani Fernando would re-think his position regarding the matter.

New car in GM (Philippines) stable

The ground lobby of Rockwell’s Power Plant Mall was the setting of the General Motors Automobiles Philippines (GMPh) launch of the 2003 Subaru Forester.

In our conversation right after the unveiling of the "multi-purpose vehicle that is guaranteed to match a wide range of lifestyles while delivering real driving pleasure", Mr. James Lim, the new president and general manager of GMPh said that the 2003 Forester is "a project that marks the sustained partnership of General Motors Corporation (GMC) and Fiji Heavy Industries (FHI)." The soft-spoken gentleman added, "The alliance of these two industry leaders is part of GMC’s objective of industry leadership in the Asia-Pacific region."

Mr. Eiichi Matsumoto, the FHI general manager for Asia Pacific and Latin America, Subaru Overseas Division who came over just for the launch proudly declared that the 2003 model is "a complete tire-to-roof rail redefinition of the Subaru Forester.

The 2.0-liter 2003 Forester’s features include a combined WRC-derived horizontally-opposed engines and the legendary fulltime all-wheel drive with a perfectly linear drive train layout and sophisticated suspension. It also has the improved E-4AT Gate Type and 5MT transmissions that allow for quieter and smoother gear changes. For safety it has 4-wheel ABS and the new active front passenger headrest that reduces neck injuries, as it automatically moves forward in cases of rear end collisions.

Mr. Nicky Mariano, product-planning manager who also effectively dabbles in looking after GMPh’s communication needs and media relations proudly announced that there are now three colors to choose from; red, black and premium silver while current purchase price is at P1.310M for manual transmission and P1.360 for automatic.

Congratulations to General Motors Automobiles Philippines!

Isuzu’s Lifestyle

First it was a lung-busting trek last month up the tricky slopes of magnificent Mayon Volcano in Bicol down south, followed by back-breaking white water kayaking in Kalinga up north, then a compassionate medical mission for some poor Dumagats in neighboring Bulacan and last Saturday an array of outdoor sports at the White Cove Resort in Nasugbu right after a fuel eco-run. That was the series of "good life" activities that Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) recently lined up for its customers, members of the media, dealers and its executives.

In an on-cam beachside interview with IPC’s president, Mr. Toru Koyasu, we were apprised that these activities perfectly reflect those of the buyers and users of the wide range of Isuzu vehicles ranging from their pick-ups, SUVs and AUVs. Although all drenched just coming from a Jet Ski ride, Toru-san gamely extended an invitation to all Isuzu vehicle owners to more similar events that are up coming.

Mr. Hiroshi Ishino, the sportsman-executive vice president of IPC also obliged us for a short chat after topping the mountain bike race with nary a puff, proof of this gentleman’s fitness. He assured us of more socially relevant activities, similar to the medical mission done by the members of the newly formed Trooper Club, spearheaded by Isuzu Philippines, will come in tandem with all the exciting outdoor sports activities for Isuzu vehicle owners that are just up ahead.

While still dripping wet after jet skiing at break-neck speed, IPC’s top marketing honcho, Mr. Katsuhiko Kato for his part said he sees these activities with Isuzu customers and dealers as an opportunity to know first hand what the market thinks about the Isuzu vehicles to include what these buyers really want in their particular type of vehicle, a wealth of information that’s indeed very vital in product planning.

Isuzu executives Myrna Gonzales and Timmy Naval, who were on hand together with a whole slew of very courteous and very helpful Isuzu Philippines employees to make sure the event was a success, made similar assurances that more exciting activities are still lined up ahead for Isuzu vehicle owners.

Happy motoring!!!

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