More second-hand imports on the road?

If importers of second-hand vehicles can have their way, EDSA buses won’t be the only vehicles with Japanese characters on their interiors and dashboards.

Right now, however, the Association of Philippine Auctioneers (APA) is fighting an uphill battle to allow the importation of second hand service vehicles from Japan, including fire trucks, ambulances and garbage compactors.

At a Manila Hotel forum yesterday, APA president Romy Armamento issued a statement questioning moves by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Import Services (BIS) in connection with restrictions on vehicle importations.

BIS has reportedly listed fire trucks, concrete pump trucks, tanker trucks, ambulances, and other special purpose trucks from being imported.

"Why prohibit those vehicles when we do not manufacturers them locally? Dealers cannot supply them at affordable costs," the APA said in the statement. "Perhaps it is time to review and revise the existing guidelines since they are not applicable anymore."

Used right-hand vehicles, usually from Japan, enter the country though Subic port and are converted to the country’s left-hand drive standard. APA said monthly importation volume is at 1,000 which generates P750 million in direct and indirect taxes.

Buses plying EDSA, with conspicuous Japanese markings, usually come from these imports.

APA said their vehicles are seven to four times cheaper than brand new ones manufactured or assembled locally. But in some instances, it added, local assemblers do nothing more than install the tires and battery to their vehicles.

"Since we give at least 400 percent savings on their (small and medium scale industries) capital equipment, they have more funds to invest in other things," said the statement. "With this, they create more jobs, and help lower bus fares, truck handling costs, and, as such, the cost of transporting basic goods.

"Clearly the real winners in this proposed restriction are the car manufacturers. Long-suffering car buyers will be deprived of cheaper alternatives. But if a pampered and unproductive foreign-based industry is merely window dressing its own failures as legitimate concerns, then the government should see through this ploy and dismiss the proposal outright," APA said.

Another issue being hurled against APA is that their vehicles are pollutants.

APA, however, said their vehicles are first required to acquire emission test approvals.