If we can rely on the words of the two gentlemen (and I don’t see why not) who currently head the government’s twin agencies that administer and manage land transport in the country namely, Atty. Winston Ginez of the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board) and Atty. Alfonso Tan of the LTO (Land Transportation Office), we may still see the day when EDSA would be cleared of colorum vehicles and hopefully a more manageable traffic flow devoid of half-empty buses wantonly wasting fuel and spewing toxic fumes in its endless daily quest for passengers that are less abundant than the vehicles on the road to transport them with drivers recklessly jockeying to be always ahead of the rest to get to these commuters.
A few weeks back I wrote in this column about the on-cam interview I had with the LTFRB head on our TV show Motoring Today where he categorically said that the drive against colorum vehicles, which forms a major part of the recently released and implemented LTFRB-LTO Joint Administrative Order 2014-1 shall be relentless.
On the other hand, the very young LTO head said with conviction, “We will not blink” when I asked him during the open forum of the media conference launching the up and coming Philippine International Motor Show (related story below) where he was present together with DOTC Usec Edwin Lopez representing the DOTC (Department of Transportation & Communications) secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya in the event.
On both occasions, when the twin covenants were separately made, they were in reaction to the repeating experience I shared with them as a journalist who has been covering the motoring beat for almost three decades where the government would always stand down when groups of drivers and operators would go to the streets or even just threaten to go to the streets whenever there was a serious move by the authorities to strictly implement traffic laws and regulations. The government would always blink, seemingly fearful of the consequences of street protests or transport strikes. Probably that’s why we still have a lot of undisciplined drivers and illegal vehicles. The government would always blink when threatened and those who do not toe the line now confidently think that they can always get away with it with just a mere threat.
These guys look like no nonsense gentlemen. So far they are delivering. Let’s see for how long. I just hope, for keeps for the sake of the general motoring public.
CAMPI’s biggest and largest
The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI), the country’s largest auto industry organization recently launched the 5th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS). Slated on September 18 to 21 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, it’s bruited to be the biggest and largest event of CAMPI with 16 brands (BAIC, BMW, Daewoo, Honda, Isuzu, JMC, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen) participating.
CAMPI was established in 1995 with the goal to drive and cultivate investments for the auto industry. CAMPI members together employ nearly half a million workers and under its leadership automotive sales have reached more than 200,000 units for 2013 alone.
“There’s no better occasion to celebrate the automotive industry achievements than the 5th Philippine International Motor Show. It is set to give the industry another boost as we continue to strengthen our footprint in the ASEAN region,” stated the very dynamic CAMPI president and Toyota Motor Philippines senior vice president, Atty. Rommel Gutierrez, under whose watch, many recognize, membership in the CAMPI has become more bonded among otherwise keenly competing corporate entities. Rommel, fondly called by close friends as “the singing attorney” expects another double-digit increase in sales this year. For the first six months of 2014, CAMPI members already sold more than 100,000 units representing a staggering 25 percent year-on-year growth.
Aside from a high caliber motor show, the 5th PIMS, with the theme “Progress in Motion”, will also serve as the launch pad for majority of the participating brands to introduce their latest automobile models and concept engines and hybrid vehicles. There will also be the iconic car display called “Progress in Motion: The Evolution of Philippine Automotive Industry”, which will showcase 12 iconic automobiles that represent 6 decades of automotive trends in the country.
Public voting for People’s Choice Awards at the 5th PIMS
Those who would visit the 5th Philippine International Motor Show, aside from having a grand feast from a smorgasbord of some of the latest automobile models, concept cars and other interesting automotive-related activities will also have the chance to cast their votes for their favorite automobile models participating in the 10th staging of the Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards, the yearly search for the most preferred automobile models in each category of sedans, SUVs, MPVs, vans, pick ups, sports cars, etc. and the most popular, the Auto Focus Automobile of the Year—People’s Choice for 2013-14 (Standard model and Luxury model).
Sunshine Television, the creators and organizers of the yearly awards, in its serious efforts to bring voting closer to the public, has tied-up with CAMPI to conduct ONLINE voting in the different display booths of the participating brands in the 5th PIMS. Motor show visitors who wish to vote for their favorite car models need only to first register, as voting is allowed only once daily and they shall be directed to the display booth that they would draw where they can cast their vote and afterwards be awarded a give-away prize. Voting has never been this easy, fun and worthwhile—register, proceed to your drawn voting host, cast your vote and win a prize.
See you at the 5th Philippine International Motor Show. Cast your vote and win a prize.
The Ford EcoSport takes on the busy streets of the Metro
Motoring journalists were recently invited by Ford Group Philippines to have a hands-on experience with the Ford EcoSport’s capability to maneuver the congested streets of Metro Manila and during the process to add more excitement to the exercise, were challenged to solve puzzles along the way.
Though I didn’t get to join this fun event held here recently I remember having gone through a similar experience during the Ford EcoSport Ride & Drive event for the international media in Thailand.
Driving through handpicked narrow streets in Thailand made us realize how nimble and maneuverable this unique all-new compact SUV called the Ford EcoSport is and how it can manage with ease through high curbs and even simulated tire-high flood water levels.
To experience this, go to the Ford Dealership nearest you and ask for a test drive. Oh by the way, Ford Dealerships and showrooms are located all over the country.
Auto enthusiasts haven in the web
If you are a car buff it is a must for you to visit the country’s “first all video automobile website”, www.autofocus.com.ph, the online version of the TV show Auto Focus (Thursday, 10pm, Sky Cable, Channel 13), the country’s premier auto news and features TV magazine exclusive to the automobile and its industry.
If you missed any of the features of the TV show, from reviews of all the newly launched car models, to all of the auto industry’s test drive events, the latest auto industry news, automotive technology, interviews with the local auto industry’s top executives and everything about the automobile, they are all there 24/7 for you to view on Auto Focus ONLINE.
Our latest uploaded video is that of our Q&A interview with Ms. Ginia Domingo, the alluring lady president of Columbian Autocar Corp., the exclusive importers and distributors of Kia vehicles in the country. With guest motoring journalists, Al Mendoza, motoring columnist of Business Mirror and Inigo Roces, motoring editor of the Manila Bulletin, the Q&A centers on the surprised announcements of Kia’s entry to the PBA, the country’s professional basketball league and the recruitment of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao as its head coach and eventually, playing coach. Log on!
Happy Motoring!!!
For comments email motoringtoday-star@stv.com.ph or sunshine.television@yahoo.com.