Star Search — Caltex Style

Achievement programs and talent contests, like Star Search and the now defunct "Tawag ng Tanghalan", have one thing in common: they want to extract the best from each participant and declare the best among the selected competitors. These contests not only serve to come out with the best of the best, but it also serve as the inspiration for others to aspire to be the best in his chosen field. Throughout the years, several programs and award-giving bodies have chosen awardees for Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM), Dakilang Ina, Ten Outstanding Teachers, Public Servants or Policemen and similar awards.

Unfortunately, there were no awards for outstanding PUV drivers, or if ever there was one, it wasn’t given due recognition and media exposure. The drivers can only blame themselves because, let’s face it, PUV drivers are not the ones whose driving manners we’d like to emulate. Some, if not most of them can be downright dangerous, rude, reckless, inconsiderate and even ignorant, or worse, oblivious to traffic rules and regulations. Bus drivers at EDSA, for example, use the yellow lane at their convenience then dive out of it when there are no competent traffic enforcers around, or when they know they can muscle their way out on to the lane of private cars. They block intersections and stop in the middle of the street to unload or load passengers, and the use the busí bulk to bully other drivers just so they can get ahead. It’s the same with jeepney drivers, except they have a smaller vehicle to bully you with. Both the bus and jeepney driver contribute to the general entanglement of the traffic in the metropolis, yet they can go on strike at the drop of a hat if the government denies even the most menial of their demands.

Caltex Philippines, Inc. would like to help change this situation.

Starting with driving examinations consisting of written, skills and road tests conducted last February 26 and 27 by examiners from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) at open grounds at Fort Bonifacio, the oil giant, in cooperation with the Department of Energy (DOE) and various bus and jeepney associations in Metro Manila started their search to select the 10 Outstanding Public Transport Drivers in Metro Manila. This program, which was launched in October 2003, aims to award drivers who have shown exemplary competence, skill and high regard for safety in their driving, have served as models to their fellow drivers, and have devoted their lives to working for a better future for their families. The objective is to uplift the image and status of the transport drivers who, unwittingly and unknowingly, contribute to the country’s growth by moving people across the city.

Caltex Retail general manager Randy Johnson points out that this program further demonstrates Caltex’s commitment to the transport sector with whom the company partners in serving the needs of the public. "Caltex is fully aware that the drivers depend on their jeepneys and buses for their livelihood, so they can provide a better future for their families and for themselves. It is our commitment to provide them with the high quality fuel products that power the engines of the vehicles they drive, to ferry passengers all across the city and to neighboring provinces each day," Johnson said.

He added that aside from honoring the drivers, Caltex is also seizing the opportunity to help improve safety on the road. "Safety is our number one priority at Caltex. We believe that everyone has the right to go home to their families safely each day after a long day’s work," he said. "We certainly hope that through this award-giving program, we could achieve at least a heightened awareness of the importance of safety among the members of the public transport sector in this country."

A total of 66 qualified candidates were short listed by 11 major transport groups from their thousands of members. These nominees were tested on their driving skills as well as their awareness of safety and traffic regulation. The candidates’ driving records will also undergo screening with partner-agencies for the project such as the LTO, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Claire dela Fuente, president of the Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association (IMBOA), attests to the strict implementation of the program rules in screening the nominees. "I am pleased with the conduct of this program and the stringent process in screening the candidates," she said. "No compromises were made in reviewing the qualifications, and even our drivers who lacked the necessary administrative documentation were not considered (even though she is one of the creators of this award program). You can be sure that the winners will be truly deserving of the honor."

The driving exams were only the first step of the preliminary round for short listing the candidates for the awards. Qualified drivers will then be interviewed by a panel of judges, largely composed of members of the Caltex Retailers Association, to select 20 finalists. The finalists will then undergo further drug and psychological tests as well as record checks by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The final roster of judges who will decide on the 10 winners will be composed of officials from Caltex and the government partners. The 10 Outstanding Public Transport Drivers awardees will receive P100,000 each, while the rest of the finalists will receive P10,000 each. The announcement of the winners and the awarding ceremony will be held in April.

With a cash prize that large and due recognition for being winners, here’s hoping that Caltex’s ambitious award program flourishes to inspire a lot of drivers to change their driving habits for the better, inculcate the safety of their passengers and the general public into their attitude and improve their lives permanently. And make driving around the city more enjoyable for Juan dela Cruz and average Joes like you and me.