Anarchy returns to our sidewalks

Denials notwithstanding, many I have talked to are of the belief that the coming elections have a lot to do with the decision of MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando to back-off from his relentless drive to give back the metro’s sidewalks to whom they rightfully belong — the pedestrians.

And what a pity, especially now that we are seeing and enjoying the freedom from all these obstructions while we walk through many of our sidewalks, once the domain of illegal vendors and even illegitimate structures, we would now just grit our teeth and helplessly watch as anarchy returns.

In an off-the-cuff conversation during the taping of our TV show Breaking Barriers (IBC TV-13, which airs tonight at 11 pm) the MMDA chairman has mentioned that there are local executives, with the exception of a very few, who can be considered as lukewarm to the sidewalk-clearing campaign and has hinted on passing on the Herculean task to them — in exasperation maybe?

If there’s anything that the metro populace (with the exception of the affected illegal vendors many of whom we learned are not from the metro), can be very thankful for in the administration of Chairman BF, is his display of political will in the elimination of anarchy and chaos in many of our sidewalks.

But with this latest development, the Metro Manilans are expecting a return to the ugly past. Not with a vengeance, we hope.

I can only echo what all that I have talked to wish to let the good MMDA chairman hear as their clamor and their battle cry, "Don’t let go, BF! — Wag kang bibitaw!"

Sure Way To Eliminate Fake COCs

The problem of fake COCs or Certificate of Cover for the Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance coverage of motor vehicles needed prior to registration would be completely eliminated if this would be included in the registration fees.

This we learned in a recent conversation with retired Insurance Commissioner and present OIC of the Insurance Commission (IC), Atty. Eduardo Malinis.

For a very long time there have been a proliferation of fake COCs issued to motor vehicle owners coming from many unscrupulous insurance companies. This is of course to the detriment of both the motorist and the government. To the motorist as these COCs, being spurious cannot answer for any damage claims should an accident happen and to the government because no taxes are being collected.

Several measures have been adopted in the past aimed at ceasing this illegal practice, the latest of which is the computerization of the process, which involved both the LTO and the IC. However it appears that the Pinoy’s ingenuity still reigns supreme in going around these measures, high-tech computerization not spared.

In the light of this, the ultimate solution has been agreed upon and this is to simply include the payment for CTPL in the registration fee. This would simply eliminate the need for a COC, as the receipt for the payment of the registration fee of the vehicle would simply suffice.

But why on earth is this solution not being worked on for immediate implementation?

Is it because when this is done many people would be affected for millions and millions of reasons?

We only ask.

Welcome News For Owners Of Peugeot Cars

A training ground for technicians who will specialize in the service and repairs of all Peugeot cars in the country and will be part of the service team of the Peugeot dealer network has just recently been set up.

The National Training Center, located along Don Chino Roces Avenue in Makati, which also serves as Peugeot’s first service center in the country has 13 service bays available to clients — with seven bays for light service maintenance works, three for heavy servicing and three for body repair activitiesóall with the capacity to service 20 cars a day. To enhance its modern-day technical capability is the Peugeot-patented DIAG 2000, a highly specialized diagnostic equipment that allows online diagnosis and troubleshooting from Peugeot’s global technical assistance service which can be tapped 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Currently, Peugeot, which is represented in the country by AutoFrance Philippines, has the Peugeot 206, Peugeot 206cc and the Peugeot 307, which was voted last year by Top Gear magazine as the "Best Compact Car".

Drive A Honda At The Fort

Motorists and car enthusiasts trooped to The Fort last Saturday and Sunday for a chance to test drive any of the fast-selling market offerings of Honda Cars Philippines — from the newest 2.0 liter Civic, the different variants of the CR-V to the all-new City in specially designed courses.

Several contests added up to the excitement of the 2-day event dubbed as "Honda Excites" ranging from a sound set up competition to a "burn-up" endurance test for tires exclusively for Honda car-owners while a culminating RC competition event was held Sunday. Honda owners also were also afforded free check up.

GM Training Experts Expected

Experts on after sales training and service clinic from Shanghai General Motors are scheduled to be presented to the media on Friday at the TEAK Bistro in Rockwell Center, Makati.

They will share their expertise in preventive maintenance, vehicle warranty, car features, original parts, etc., among General Motors Automobiles Philippines technicians and Chevrolet Venture owners.

Isuzu Philippines bags prestigious manufacturing award

The Pinoy’s manufacturing skills again came into fore once as Isuzu Philippines was recently awarded the Isuzu Manufacturing Management (IMM) bronze award.

Established in June of 2000 by Isuzu Motors Limited (Japan), IMM set the stringent standard operating procedures in manufacturing management and quality assurance of all Isuzu plants, affiliates and suppliers in Japan as well as other Isuzu production bases globally.

The winning formula in manufacturing was simply stated by IPC president Toru Koyasu as, "In-line inspection, outsourced parts quality assurance, tightening quality management and quality audit meetings."

The very friendly and soft-spoken Koyasu-san added, "We are proud and honored with this recognition. It will definitely motivate the men and women of Isuzu Philippines to continue its efforts in providing globally competitive products."

Kudos to Isuzu Philippines and to all the skillful Pinoys in their plant!

Pit Lane Notes

Michael Schumacher had one of the most perfect weekends of his career in Sepang. It seems like the legendary driver is exempted from Murphy’s Law — he could do nothing wrong from the qualifying session to the race itself. He has simply become unstoppable on the track. After claiming an unprecedented 57th pole position on Saturday, he proceeded to make mincemeat out of the competition Sunday, making everything seem effortless. Two weeks after his amazing performance in Australia, all 72 laps of the Malaysian Grand Prix looked like an extension of that incredible run.

Juan Pablo Montoya of BMW-Williams came in second, as his teammate Ralf Schumacher retired due to mechanical problems. Takuma Sato of BAR-Honda looked like he was well on his way to a championship point at 8th place when he suddenly had to retire with three laps remaining because of engine failure, while an ecstatic Jenson Button also of BAR-Honda claimed his first ever podium finish that is very long overdue. The young driver has come in 4th place five times before, and he didn’t want to make this a 6th.

Rubens Barrichello came in 4th place after Button, and Renault’s Jarno Trulli soon followed at 5th. McLaren’s nightmares continue as Kimi Raikkonen retired with clutch problems. Teammate David Coulthard did slightly better as he came in 6th after a tight battle with Trulli, Fernando Alonso came in 7th, and Felipe Massa claimed the last championship point for himself and his team Sauber as he came in 8th place.

Motoring Tip Of The Week

As you go on out-of-town trips this summer it would be best for you and your passengers to go easy on the gas pedal.

First of all, unnecessary high speeds in the highway court accidents. One can better react in emergency situations, like needing to stop fast, when one is not driving too fast.

Second, a heavy foot on the gas pedal would surely mean more frequent stops for fuel as a "pedal to the floor" kind of driving greatly decreases your fuel efficiency.

And third, the Philippines is one of the most beautiful countries to drive through. You and your passengers can best enjoy our country’s sights while driving leisurely and safely.

Enjoy that countryside trip — go easy on the gas pedal.

Happy Motoring!!!

For Comments: (e-mail) motoring/[email protected].