A strange sudden change of heart

Remember that loud howl of protest that reverberated in the transport sector when the LTO (Land Transportation Office) implemented the use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) for all motor vehicles registered in the country?

The owners of private vehicles were up in arms due to the wealth of information that the electronic device can cough up for anyone to know just by being able to determine the frequency into which the system is set up to. The security risk was just too high as against the purpose for which the system was being put up for. There was also the issue raised that the RFID chip could not be read through the standard windshield visor or tint that come factory-installed in many vehicles.

On the part of the public utility vehicle operators the concern was the added cost of the electronic device and the prospect that it would not effectively serve the purpose of readily churning out vital data that the device is supposed to.

Well, as you all know the project was virtually stopped dead on its tracks but only after some vehicle owners have already paid for the RFID upon registration, though there was a move to have the expense reimbursed. If ever this was done or not is a different story altogether.

The intriguing story now is the strange sudden change of heart of the public utility vehicle (PUV) operators preferring to have the RFID over what the MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) and the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) now requires, which is the painting of every vehicle’s plate numbers on its side and roof for easier identification. This approach is a lot simpler and less high-tech compared to the RFID and would probably be more long-lasting compared to an electronic chip that can easily be destroyed or deliberately made inoperable or damaged by nature in a short span of time. The boldly painted numbers can be easily discernable through the numerous CCTV cameras that have been installed in most parts of the Metro, which can spot from long distances the presence of colorum vehicles or determine which vehicles have figured in accidents especially those driven away from the scene of the accident to escape accountability.

So what could be the reasons for the sudden preference for the much-dejected RFID over the simple painting of numbers on the vehicles’ sides and roof?

To answer that without possibly ruffling some feathers especially those of PUV operators, I should just cite some reasons why the MMDA and the LTFRB should insist on the more Spartan but admittedly more effective painting of plate numbers on vehicles’ bodies. One simple reason is that RFID’s can be made easily inoperable temporarily or permanently and while it’s not operating the vehicle that’s supposed to have it cannot be tagged. Another reason is that the RFID has a limited distance of effectiveness. And it’s a lot shorter compared to the ability of CCTV cameras to discern boldly painted plate numbers on vehicles’ sides especially on their roofs. Third, the RFID system can somehow come up with glitches, which can render it ineffective until the glitch has been taken cared of, while the only glitch on the other side of the coin is the deliberate changing of the painted numbers, an act tantamount to falsification of public documents and out and out fraud, plus the fact that it is easy to compare the plate number to what’s painted on the body of the vehicle.

Having plate numbers boldly painted on the body of every PUV is a lot simpler than going back to the RFID controversy all over again. Let’s save ourselves from the public scrutiny of what brand of RFID should be used, from what supplier and all those controversial bidding issues. Not unless the MMDA or the LTFRB would specify only a particular company that would do all the painting, which I have no doubt they wouldn’t, the painting of plate numbers on vehicles’ sides and roof is far more practical and less complicated and ultimately more effective than the RFID.

“Lady Dean Sophie” does it again

The biggest names in automotive restyling and customization will once again bring out their newest, most innovative and much awaited project vehicles exclusively for the 2011 Manila Auto Salon on November 24 to 27 at the SMX Convention Center in Mall of Asia. Over 100 modified cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles will compete in four major competitions namely the 16th Custom Car Show, 16th Sport Truck & SUV Show and the 4th Extreme Tuner Show all vying for four Best of Show Awards. Trade and retail booths by the leading automotive aftermarket suppliers complete the industry showcase making the Manila Auto Salon the best and largest one-stop-shop showroom of the latest aftermarket consumer trends. This popular car show is conceptualized and produced by the Philippine’s leading motoring events organizer, Tradeshow International, Inc. (the team behind the annual Trans Sport Show).

“Manila Auto Salon has successfully paved the way for the growth in the automotive aftermarket industry in the country and has greatly influenced the behavior and attitude of automotive enthusiasts with regard to self-expression via their cars,” claims Ms. Sophie Delos Santos, president of Tradeshow International, Inc. and co-founder of the Philippine Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (PAAIA). “This individualized preference for accessorizing, restyling and restoring vehicles from multiple market segments is what will sustain the aftermarket industry and Manila Auto Salon is the best venue to see the most provocative trendsetters in the field,” the acknowledged “lady dean” auto shows and car competitions adds. At the show, PAAIA will conduct the 3rd Philippine Automotive Lifestyle Survey and the 1st Automotive Aftermarket Industry Survey to build the much needed statistical data vital for industry assessment.

Tickets are available at all SM Tickets in SM Cinema branches located across the nationwide chain in SM Supermalls. Show hours are 11am-10pm on Thursday-Friday and 10am-9pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Pasay City strives to be business-friendly

For the second year in a row the Auto Focus Motor Show and Auto Expo was successfully held at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

The biggest outdoor motor show in the country counts on several factors to ensure a well-attended staging – first and foremost a cooperative weather – a sunny 4-day grand auto display and test drive marked this year’s edition. Then there’s the all-out support of the auto industry through an expansive participation, which had been ever present since it was started in 2005, even when held in other venues. There are also the added features that the event has to offer, this year the presence and competition between past car show competition winners brought in the modified car enthusiasts in droves. But before the first display tent or structure is even put up, support from the local government, in this case Pasay City, must first be ensured.

This year, as explained by newly-installed City Treasurer Manuel E. Leycano, Jr., the local government of Pasay has an almost unreachable income target that has to be reached. And this is because the City government has vowed to provide better social, health and security services to its constituents. To achieve this, a new ordinance has been passed recently that could effect the increase in fees for events like our motor show to several folds to help achieve the target. But then, the Honorable Pasay City Mayor Tony Calixto has maintained that his city should remain “business-friendly” and any increase in permit fees should not be done in a radical way. Such policy is also supported by the Congresswoman representing the lone Congressional District of Pasay City, the Honorable Emi Calixto-Rubiano.

Aside from City Treasurer Leycano, Jr., this “business-friendly” policy guideline is being implemented by Atty. Ray Glenn C. Agranzamendez, secretary to the mayor, Dhave S. Adriatico, administrative assistant and Marlon B. Leviste, chief, local business tax.

Thank you to the local government of the City of Pasay for supporting the 2011 Auto Focus Motor Show and Auto Expo and for the rest of those doing business in one of the country’s highly progressive metropolis.

No floods in sight

Sunshine TV’s vp for production, Jenny Bleza joined a whole slew of motoring journalists that Ford Group Philippines (FGP) brought to Thailand for an entire day of test drive of the all-new Ford Ranger.

“Our gracious hosts made sure we didn’t get to see a single drop of flood water while we were in Thailand so we can focus on experiencing and appreciating the world-renowned tough features of the all-new Ford Ranger,” muses Jenny, who also writes the auto industry news portions of the TV shows Motoring Today and Auto Focus.

The All-New Ford Ranger International Media Drive 3-day trip, from November 18 to November 20 was joined by no less than FGP president and rock music lover, Mr. Randy Krieger with the Philippine media contingent ably managed by “pretty girl” Ms. Anika Salceda-Wycoco, FGP avp for communications.

The close to 150 kilometers of test drive gave the motoring journalists the experience of subjecting the all-new Ford Ranger to different driving conditions on varied road surfaces and terrain, off-road and even water wading to test it to its limits, which to no one’s surprise was never reached – “the all-new Ford Ranger just kept on going and going and going…” declared Ms. Bleza.

After that “no drop of flood water in sight” trip, I wonder if that’ll be our similar experience a few weeks from now when we go to Thailand to attend the Bangkok Motor Show upon the invite of our good friend Nicky Mariano, the very capable head honcho of Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive importers and distributors of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines. 

Happy Motoring!!!

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