No need to pee

If Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III would have his way, anyone (male or female) applying for a driver’s license or its renewal wouldn’t have to pee in an open-door cubicle at the LTO (Land Transportation Office) or in any of its branches, which forms part of the law-mandated drug test as a requirement before a driver’s license is issued.

The Senate minority floor leader, who was once the country’s anti-dangerous drug czar, wants the mandatory drug test for all drivers applying for and renewing driver’s license scrapped and according to him the Department of Health, the Philippine National Police, the Dangerous Drugs Board and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency have already agreed to the proposal.

The legislator-TV host has declared that he believes that mandatory drug testing for drivers applying for license “does not work” especially considering that records show that after 8 years of testing millions of drivers only 0.06 % proved positive. Considering that the scrapping of these tests would need legislation, “Tito Sen” is pushing for such legislation and a new and more effective one to replace it.

In my previous columns, where I have been espousing the same idea of scrapping these “inutile” drug tests, I have made mention of a valid observation of one of those involved in the business of conducting these drug tests. According to this gentleman, the present drug testing system works against the very purpose of the exercise. Part of the process requires that the testing center that have tested positive any of its applicants to have the test validated further at the expense of the testing center. Because of this possible added cost to the center, what usually happens is that the applicant tested positive for drug use would just be advised to take another test some other time when he’s already “clean”. And getting “clean” (meaning no trace of drugs in the urine) would only require a few days to a couple of weeks of drug abstinence, according to many of the doctors that I have consulted regarding the issue. The same gentleman suggests that for the drug testing system to be more effective, the IRR or the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the law should be amended in such a way that the costs of validating or invalidating the results of the drug test of those found positive should be to the account of the applicant instead of charging it to the testing center. This could still be done in the interim while the new legislation is still being worked on.

Our stand in this issue has always been to conduct mandatory drug and alcohol tests for drivers that figure in accidents. And happily, this is the direction that Senator Sotto has decided to similarly take, in filing the much-needed legislation to scrap what has been found to be obviously and visibly useless and not working. In addition, he’s also considering requiring employers of drivers and public transport operators to have their drivers given random tests monthly at their expense.

A way of saying thank you

After three quarters of 2011, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is seen to cling to the much-coveted No. 1 position in the local automobile market and is poised to achieve its 10th consecutive “Triple Crown”.

TMP concedes that this wouldn’t have been possible without the continued trust and confidence of their customers in Toyota products.

“As a way of showing appreciation, TMP will be bringing back the Toyota Caravan – irresistible deals and offers that will surely make anyone say that it is the best time to buy a Toyota,” declares Mr. Yuji Goto, executive vice president of TMP in his letter of invitation to the members of the motoring media to be present during the event’s opening rites.

The Toyota Caravan opens on October 5, that’s today, at 8th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City right behind the Lexus Manila showroom.

A new Nissan Commonwealth Dealership

We had the chance to attend the opening of Nissan Commonwealth the other week and we found it happily intriguing seeing executives of both Nissan Motors Philippines (NMPI) and Universal Motors (UMC) again visibly together in such an auspicious event – the inauguration of a more vibrant and more complete showroom and service facilities located strategically along Quezon City’s busiest thoroughfare.

No less than the president of NMPI Allen Chen made his presence felt during the ceremonies in his speech, “Nissan Commonwealth is part of our concentrated efforts to bring our quality vehicles and services closer to our customers. Known for having one of the most extensive dealerships in the country, we take pride in the fact that each and every Nissan outlet provides the same total quality pre-sales and after-sales service, even as compared to Nissan dealerships in other countries.”

He was joined by other NMPI execs Val De Leon, svp for marketing, Dennis Restor, group head for sales and marketing and Karla Tecson, corp com head while UMC was ably represented by its newly-appointed avp for marketing, Honeymae Limjap in welcoming the revitalized dealership.

For their part Nissan Commonwealth chairman and CEO Amando “Amang” San Juan said, “This marks another milestone for our dealership, as we go full lineup with NMPI vehicles. Opening our doors to more customers in Metro Manila, we will continue to provide quality vehicles and deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction with reputable partners such as NMPI.”

The dealership sits on a one-hectare complex in the Commonwealth Avenue ECO-Zone and covers 14,000 square meters floor area of multi-million peso building and facilities. It is now equipped with new and complete service facilities, on top of its existing 26 workbays, with complete and updated equipment, with 3,500 sq m in floor area for the service workshop and a parking bay that can accommodate as much as 50 units.

The greatly rejuvenated Nissan Commonwealth dealership shall be run by Anna Lynn the lovely daughter of its chairman Mr. Amang San Juan.

Isuzu’s concern for the environment is further firmed up

Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) has joined hands with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) in an environment-protection project that aims not only to conserve a watershed in Ilagan, Isabela, but also to train farmers in agroforestry. The partnership is part of IPC’s celebration of its 14th inaugural anniversary this year. IPC has been traditionally marking this special milestone in company history by organizing a corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity.

On September 29, Isuzu and WWF held a tree-planting event in the town of Ilagan in the province of Isabela to help establish 40 hectares of agroforestry land, with a view to empowering local farmers by equipping them with the proper skills in planting seeds. One of the main objectives of the project is to help alleviate poverty in the area. The event was also attended and the project was highly supported by the local municipal council headed by Ilagan Mayor Josemarie Diaz. Also present in the program were some 120 people consisting of farmers and their families who are the local project partners, namely: the Ifugao tribe from Sitio Pulang Lupa and Sitio Coop; Villa Gracia Agroforestry Developers Cooperative; and, farmers from Barangay Villa Imelda.

“We have been very active in environmental campaigns for many years now, and we intend to sustain this commitment to Mother Nature,” said IPC President Ryoji Yamazaki in a speech. “This is why for our anniversary this year, we are supporting an agroforestry sustainability project here in Isabela. We are going to carry out education programs for the local farmers so that destruction of forests can be prevented. This initiative will enable the farmers to generate adequate income and eventually improve their livelihood.”

Chevy’s showing the way

Another feather in the cap for the men and women of The Car Covenant Company with Atty. Albert Arcilla, its managing director and COO at the forefront and with the able assistance of its marketing director, Lyn Buena as Chevrolet Philippines recently ranked the highest among 11 brands with a score of 827 according top the J.D. Power Asia Pacific Philippines Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI). Chevrolet also registered the 2nd greatest improvement in score from 2010.

The 2011 Philippines Customer Satisfaction Index Study is based on responses from 1,674 vehicle owners who purchased their vehicles between January 2009 and April 2010 and took their vehicle for service to an authorized dealer or service center between July 2010 and April 2011. The study was fielded between February 2011 and July 2011, and includes evaluations of 60 vehicle models.

Congratulations guys!

Final results to come out on October 10

The recently concluded Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards will have its final results out by October 10, awaiting the final count of Philippine STAR ballots, which had their validity expire just last Monday, October 3.

The final canvassing is scheduled this Saturday, October 8 at the Sports Den of Valle Verde Country Club.

Winners of the electronic raffles conducted among those who voted may be viewed in our website www.autofocus.com.ph.

Happy Motoring!!!

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