Is the MMDA scared of a bus strike?

Should the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) leadership blink in the implementation of the ‘number ending traffic reduction scheme’ for buses while facing a threat of a strike to be staged by bus drivers and bus operators, then I would start missing the vaunted “political will” of former MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando.

Statistics show that the major cause of the clogging of EDSA is the presence of too many buses – much more than the metro’s main thoroughfare can physically accommodate. Add to the presence of these humongous buses is the discipline or the total lack of it by most of its drivers – weaving in and out of lane while racing their giant half-empty transporters like they were sports cars against their competitors for the precious passengers that are a lot less than their number.

Faced with this deteriorating scenario, made further complicated by the presence of a great number of colorum or illegal buses, the only logical solution is to lessen these buses’ presence along EDSA. Therefore, the MMDA said it would re-impose the number-ending scheme.

But, there are intelligence reports that the bus operators are leading a move together with their drivers to eventually sabotage the implementation of the bus traffic reduction scheme. Word has it that there’s even a plan to leave buses strewn all along EDSA to paralyze the metro’s transport of people, goods and services in order to force the metro government to cease from further implementing the measure.

Let’s see if the MMDA would blink.

Unquestionable fuel efficiency

Consider these facts and figures – a truck that can run 12.96 kilometers on a liter of fuel, an AUV (Asian Utility Vehicle) registering 21.63 kilometers on a liter of fuel and a pick up recording 24.26 kilometers covered, again on a liter of diesel fuel.

These are the fuel performance records of Isuzu vehicles as attested by the AAP or the Automobile Association of the Philippines, with no less than their people doing the actual tests by driving these record-setting vehicles.

These remarkable figures came out from the recently concluded 2010 Isuzu Challenge Fuel-Economy Series where the public (except anybody connected with Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) and any of their dealers to include the exclusion of motoring journalists) was enjoined to guess the total distance (or nearest but over) that any of three Isuzu vehicles can travel on only one thankful of Caltex Diesel w/ Techron.

The first leg saw an Isuzu NHR light-duty truck running a total of 972.4 kilometers covering a distance from Pagudpud up in the North to Naga City in the far South of Luzon. Ms. Amelita Sison Fernandez submitted the winning guess of 967.9 kilometers. Though short by 4.5 kilometers, being the nearest submitted, her guess earned her a brand new, tax free Isuzu NHR truck, which she now reportedly uses for her new business.

Next leg saw the Isuzu Crosswind (AUV of the Year – People’s Choice), which was driven for 1,190 kilometers from Cauayan, Isabela before it came to a full stop after consuming its full tank of diesel fuel in the province of Quezon after registering an awesome fuel performance of 21.63 kilometers to a liter. Now, call it luck, instinct or mathematical genius but Mr. Ryan Dexter Pinpin Dizon guessed it exactly, which made him a brand-new Isuzu Crosswind richer.

The final leg was to demonstrate the fuel performance of the D-MAX, the flagship pick of Isuzu. It took off from Matnog, Sorsogon, passed through the provinces of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte before finally running out of fuel in Barangay San Isidro in Paniqui, Tarlac for a record distance covered using a thankful of diesel fuel of 1,844 kilometers for a sterling fuel performance of 24.26 kilometers per liter.

For the D-MAX leg Ms. Jennie Lyn Tiongson Villanueva of Santa Cruz, Manila, submitted first the exact total-mileage figure, thus winning for herself a tax-free, brand-new D-MAX. The second exact guess was submitted by Mr. Zaldy Titular Caiga of Ibaan, Batangas, who was rewarded with a Sony Bravia 40-inch LED HD TV. The third exact figure came courtesy of Mr. Ace Galindo Montecalvo of San Isidro, Northern Samar, who bagged for himself a Canon EOS 550D SLR camera.

The winners were feted to a casual dinner last Tuesday, November 9 at the Old Vine of the Piazza in McKinley Hill where some members of the motoring media were invited. In a short program hosted by Auto Review producer/host Ron delos Reyes, who made sure he had his codigo of jokes to keep the mood bright, Mr. Ryoji Yamazaki, the very friendly and soft-spoken president of Isuzu Philippines said, “I am confident that after three legs of the Isuzu Challenge, we have been able to convince the commercial-vehicle market that Isuzu vehicles are truly fuel-efficient. I believe we’ve also shown that our vehicles are very much compatible with Philippine roads. Their legendary durability is what makes them very popular, most especially among overseas Filipino workers, who value their hard-earned money down to the last peso.”

The Isuzu Challenge is part of the “Isuzu Diesel Mission,” a yearlong promotional campaign that aimed to demonstrate the fuel-efficiency and environment-friendliness of Isuzu vehicles.

Working brakes mean safe driving

There’s an old saying that goes, “It’s better to have a vehicle that doesn’t run than one that refuses to stop.”

Which leads me to ask, when was the last time you had your vehicle’s brake fluid system checked?

Recently, there was a nationwide test made on brake fluid systems on vehicles that ply the countries roads. It could very well be in reaction to what most drivers who survive horrific road accidents perennially account to “brake failure” as the cause of the mishap. The initial results showed that out of 8,000 vehicles, 54% failed the test.

This is according to Ms. Tisha de Veyra, marketing director of Prestone, which initiated the tests partnered with several service centers who added to the statistics that, “Unfortunately, it is not just the aggressive driving style or lack of discipline among our drivers today that contributes to the rising number of road accidents. Improper maintenance of one’s car, especially the brake system, could also be another factor.”

Over the last two years, the number of road accidents in the country has been steadily rising. This is one of the findings of a report released by MMDA’s Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS), which noted that 64,747 road accidents have since taken place in 2009, with 284 persons killed and 14,145 injured.  From January to March this year, the MMARAS has also compiled a total of 9,282 road accidents already, with 19 drivers, 6 passengers and 23 pedestrians said to have died from these accidents. Such high number of road accidents has since prompted Prestone, a leading brand of brake fluid to undertake serious steps to help reduce road accidents through their advocacy on road safety.

Guided by these figures and test findings, Prestone decided to undertake a campaign to make more Filipino motorists aware of the importance of road safety by ensuring that one’s vehicle is in tip-top condition while on the road.

“A common practice is to just top up the master cylinder to maximum level. But this is not enough for cars two years and older. Majority are unaware that over time, brake fluid deteriorates as it absorbs moisture that creates major problems in the car’s brake system,” says Dan Santiago, Prestone brand manager.

That’s why Prestone encourages vehicle owners to follow the right process of brake system maintenance like flush & fill, which could contribute to a decrease in mechanical problems such as brake failure. By doing the “Flush & Fill Habit”, Prestone is hoping for more “road safe” vehicles which can, in turn, bring down number of road accidents in the country.

The company recently took the lead in a road safety campaign by conducting free brake fluid testing at the SM Mall of Asia last November 13, which shall also be done in all its service centers nationwide.

Spend a few minutes having your brake fluid system checked. It could save your life and those of your loved ones.

Happy Motoring!!!

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