QC pay parking issue

There’s a howl of protest being raised by owners of business establishments in Quezon City over a proposed ordinance that’s pending final resolution by its Sangguniang Panlungsod that shall impose parking fees on “places of special interest” in what used to be the country’s capital.

Under the proposed ordinance, parking fees shall range from P20 to P150 for the first 3 hours, depending on the type of vehicle.

The definition of “places of special interest” in the proposed ordinance as those where people congregate, including but not limited to parks, churches, government offices, schools, museums, shopping malls and other similar establishments that attract a lot of people.

The proposed ordinance aims to raise revenues for barangays, ensure peace and order, ease traffic congestion, prevent carjackings and provide employment for barangay tanods.

The Tomas Morato Business Club, an association of owners of business establishments in Quezon City, considers the proposed ordinance as “ill-timed, ill-advised and anti-people”.

The contention of the business club members is that “why would a city that’s awash with funds and could hardly spend what it has collected” pursue a revenue measure that’s “oppressive by its nature”, as it appears in their position paper against the proposed local legislation.

On the issue of the proposed local law being in support for the city’s efforts to curb carjacking, the business group maintains that this is a matter for the PNP to handle.

On the other hand, the issue that Quezon City having all the cash that it can handle, some observers say that Makati City similarly has over-stuffed coffers but has successfully implemented “Pay Parking” in its business center for more than a decade with nary a whimper of a protest from its constituents and its business community. Pasig City has also been charging parking fees in some of its areas with no unwelcoming reaction from the public.

In some countries, as offered by those who support the move, exorbitant parking fees are imposed so as to discourage people from bringing their vehicles wantonly. Fewer vehicles on the road would mean less harmful emissions therefore reducing pollution and less traffic could mean faster movement of goods and people effecting a faster turn of the wheels of trade and commerce resulting in a more robust economy.

Whatever comes out of this controversy, it’s only the welfare of the general motoring public that we are more partial with.

Chevron, Delo and “eat all you can”

It was at the Spiral of Hotel Sofitel in Roxas Boulevard that some members of the media were invited by one-time NBN TV broadcaster and now Chevron communications manager, Toby Nebrida for a short presentation of the new Delo, the premium motor oil brand that’s touted to offer exceptional protection for all diesel engine parts and in turn, providing customers with the confidence they need to run their business successfully.

“The intent was to humanize the parts and to convey the confidence felt by Delo customers. When shown the ads, customers understood the positioning almost immediately, commenting that ‘the “parts” guys seem pleased to be getting the right oil’,” said Dean Gilbert, Area Business Manager, Global Lubricants, Chevron Philippines Inc. “The campaign will help differentiate the brand from its competitors and enable us to communicate the benefits of using Delo products in a much more engaging manner.”

“For transportation professionals, who need to deliver in the face of today’s uncertainties, Delo is the only brand of premium commercial lubricants and coolants, which has the proprietary ISOSYN technology that gives them the protection and confidence to be successful,” added Gilbert.

Delo’s product line features engine oils, greases, gear lubricants, and transmission fluids formulated with ISOSYN technology. ISOSYN technology combines highly refined base oils with advanced additives to create products that rival synthetic lubricants in critical performance tests.

The media event was marked with a full lunch of one of the widest varieties of food all in one venue – the Spiral. It’s not very easy to stay awake with a full stomach especially for a product presentation. But Dean and Toby were gracious hosts and the presentation of the new advertising campaign for the new Delo was quite interesting and also very intriguing considering that they didn’t consider TV as part of their advertising campaign. Well, I can only trade inquiring looks with Auto Review producer/host Ron delos Reyes as the presentation was going on.

Lexus Top-down model launch

As I write this column to meet its Monday evening deadline, I just got an invitation from the president of Lexus-Manila, Mr. Daniel M. Isla for the launch of the Lexus IS300C scheduled for today at 6 o’clock in the evening.

Being a wishful owner of a convertible for the longest time, I’m excited to see this new offering of Lexus. Of course, “see only” as I find this high-end automobile way beyond my league.

The Lexus, being what it is – a luxury automobile exclusive for those who can really afford – I would be sure that the top-down is not of the “mano-mano” type. The top would surely be fully automatic to raise or to bring down.

This and the other models bearing the Lexus insignia, together with all the current year production models presently available in the country can be seen and even probably test driven in one big venue from November 5 to 8, Thursday to Sunday at the Bonifacio Global City grounds during the 2009 Auto Focus Motor Show & Auto Expo.

This yearly “Grand Display & Test Drive”, which is now on its 5th staging shall again get together all of the country’s major manufacturers and distributors in one convenient and accessible venue to display all their automobile models for the public to see, feel, touch, ride on and even test drive.

Aside from such convenience, the members of what’s fondly called the country’s “aftermarket mafia”, composed of young but very dynamic businessmen-auto enthusiasts that are engaged in the importing and marketing of aftermarket automobile products and services, shall also display their wares and all at “motor show prices” meaning at highly discounted price tags.

The group composed of Sammy Liuson of Wheel Gallery, Atoy Llave of A-Toy Bodykits, Arvin Lim of Bilstein and Val Khoe, Jr. of Caresthetics have also all excitedly agreed to display various vehicles that they consider as “showcase models” that are fully accessorized and “pimped up”.

Now, that’s one auto show that any auto enthusiast should never miss and the new Lexus “top-down” would surely be there.

Kia family test drive

Mr. Felix Mabilog, the indefatigable president and COO of Columbian Autocar, distributors of the remarkable Kia vehicles in the country wants the motoring media to test drive and enjoy his soon to launched new automobile together with their families.

The Friday, August 21, a public holiday marking the death of popular hero Ninoy Aquino, a whole slew of motoring journalists would convoy on board a soon-to-be-launched Kia vehicle from the Le Souffle restaurant at the Fort right after breakfast to Subic for an overnight sojourn. A set of activities has been lined up for both the journalists and their families to enjoy together or separately.

Felix, who just celebrated his 70th birthday with a big bash some weeks back, is all excited not only with the opportunity of having his new Kia offering test-driven by such a conglomerate of journalists at one time but also with the prospect of meeting and hosting the families of his numerous friends in the media.

We’ll let you in on what went on in this adventure next week.

It’s a see-saw voting for “auto of the year”

Seeing how the voting for the 2009 Auto Focus Automobile of the Year – People’s Choice Awards is presently going right now is like watching the Toyota-Crispa games of the old days considering how the lead changes.

For those who are closely watching the voting tally developments in the voting website (www.autofocus.com.ph) both for the “Automobile of the Year” and the “Models of the Year”, I suggest you watch out for our opening to the public the page bearing the overall consolidation of all the votes coming from the different sources (online, The Philippine STAR, Top Gear magazine, Speed magazine and Magic 89.9).

It would be interesting to see the total picture of the voting once we combine the votes cast for the “Automobile of the Year” in The Philippine STAR and Magic 89.9 with those cast online and through the magazines with the votes for “Models of the Year” as it would definitely affect the current standings, especially in the “models category”.

As this consolidation is being done I can only pass on to you the rankings in the “consolidated tally” for the “2009 Automobile of the Year”.

                                          “AUTOMOBILE OF THE YEAR” - TOP 10

                                                                CONSOLIDATED TALLY

                                               As of noon, Mon., August 17, 2009          

The 2009

Automobile of the Year – People’s Choice Awards is organized by

in cooperation with Goodyear Philippines with major media partners The Philippine STAR, Solar Sports, Top Gear, Speed and Magic 89.9.

Happy Motoring!!!

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