Motoring News Stories We’d Like to See

If, like me, most of you are getting frustrated about the state of the traffic in Metro Manila or around the country in general, it wouldn’t hurt to dream of some positive action that the government may take in the future. Here, for your perusal, are some of the motoring news stories that we’d like to see bannered in the front page of the future editions of The Philippine STAR.

Government Starts Gradual Phase-Out of Buses Plying EDSA

After completing the Metro Rail Transport (MRT) system with the inauguration of the Congressional Avenue, Balintawak and Monumento stations and linking it to the Light Rail Transport (LRT1) system at the Monumento and Taft Avenue stations, the government will begin its gradual phase-out of buses on EDSA.

The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), the Land Transportation Franchise Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Traffic Management Group (TMG) were tasked as the lead agencies to conduct the phase-out, which is projected to ease traffic congestion on Manila’s main highway that will serve as the vital link in the on-going construction of the Federal Highway System. The move is also seen to reduce air and noise pollution levels along EDSA and improve the environment in the metropolis.

Since the completion of the MRT-LRT1 loop and its improved efficiency, many buses have been observed plying EDSA with less than 25% of their seating capacity. The LTFRB will start canceling the franchises of bus companies using old, smoke-belching buses by subjecting all buses that ply the EDSA route to the strict Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS) which will be personally overseen by Federal Highways Administration (FHA) Chairman Bayani Fernando.

In related developments, the Supreme Court has rejected with finality the petition filed by the Metro Manila Bus Owners Association (MMBOA) that seeks to stop the phase-out project. The Supreme Court stated that the bus companies have been remiss in disciplining their drivers as well as properly maintaining their vehicles to protect the people and the environment. The Court also ruled that the government, in its quest for the improvement of the traffic problem, should not be held hostage by the vested interests of a few…

Transport Groups Cite LTFRB for PUV Regulation

Legitimate transport groups, mostly made of jeepney, FX, taxi and tricycle owners and drivers recently made a joint letter of appreciation citing the LTFRB for its Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Regulation Program. The program, which started three years ago, limited the number of PUVs plying a certain route to an efficient and manageable number by surveying the number of commuters, the peak hours, the actual traveling time and the projected income of the PUV owners and drivers.

The program ensured that the PUVs were always loaded to more than 90% capacity, thus improving the income of the drivers and the operators. The program also ensured that PUVs were always on the go, thus eliminating the need to use the roadside as PUV terminals as well as improving traffic flow. With their increased income, most of the drivers were able to purchase the PUVs they were driving, enabling the operators to divert their investments into PUV maintenance and service businesses and empowering the drivers associations to form productive cooperatives.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reported an unprecedented tax collection from the program with taxes from drivers-turned-owners and related businesses forming an additional source of revenue generation. Income tax collection has also shown a hefty increase after taxpayers saw that their taxes were being efficiently utilized to improve public transportation, traffic management and construction of additional roads…

LTO Awarded as the Best Government Agency of the Year

Malacañang Palace recently awarded the Land Transportation Office (LTO) as the Best Government Agency of the Year. The President handed the coveted award to the LTO Chairman after the agency has surpassed the tax collection efforts of the BIR and the Bureau of Customs.

After the LTO reverted to the annual renewal of driver’s license (instead of renewing every three years) and required the drivers to secure personal insurance as a requirement to renewal, the LTO reported a 325% increase in collections from renewals, penalties and fines from traffic violations. The SSS, which handles the insurance of privately-employed drivers, and the GSIS, which handles the insurance of government-employed drivers, also reported substantial gains from the new system.

The LTO has also been using the generated funds to modernize the traffic monitoring system with closed-circuit television (CCTV) and computerized monitors on major thoroughfares, which increased the capability of traffic enforcers to remotely monitor traffic flow, record traffic violations and fine offending parties by mail. Traffic violations have since been on a down trend since the agency decreed that driver insurance rates should increase substantially when a violation is posted on the driver’s record.

With the computerized monitoring system, the LTO reports that collections from fines have increased while the "lagayan" or grease money paid to traffic cops have decreased due to the commission and merit scheme the agency have been regularly awarding to deserving enforcers as well as the stiff punishment imposed on corrupt cops and driver-bribers. Traffic enforcement has also been professionalized due to the continuous improvement training seminars conducted by the LTO for the enforcers while employee efficiency has also improved at the agency due to substantial pay increases and customer-focused seminars.

The LTO has stopped requiring Third Party Liability (TPL) insurance on motor vehicles as a prerequisite to registration since the drivers’ insurance covers these. Insurance companies have reported that majority of car owners have exercised their option to purchase property insurance (to cover the comprehensive repair on their vehicles in case of an accident) since they have made these comprehensive insurance packages more affordable to the average motorist…

Federal Traffic System Shows Gains

The Federal Traffic System, which assigns local traffic enforcement to local government units (LGU) using unified traffic laws ratified by LGUs, DOTC, LTO, LTFRB, DILG, PNP, TMG and the DPWH under the auspices of the Federal Highways Administration (FHA), has shown gains with the reduced travel time experienced by most road users.

Since its implementation, traffic congestion in major cities had been greatly minimized, especially in densely populated areas. The faster flow of vehicular traffic has reportedly improved the delivery efficiency of trucks passing through affected cities and increased tourism among locals. Business activity has also been reported to have increased throughout the archipelago with the improvement of provincial travel.

The FHA, which controls the Federal Highway and the funds for road building, recently inaugurated the new and improved four-lane North Luzon Highway Loop, which runs from the Sta. Inez exit of the Manila North Tollways in Tarlac to Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Tuguegarao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan and back to Tarlac. The new highway will link with the proposed elevated Federal Highway on EDSA and connect with the recently improved South Superhighway. Construction is underway for the new four-lane Pan-Philippine Southern Luzon Highway that will traverse the provinces of Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines and Sorsogon and will link with the four-lane Samar-Leyte Expressway in the Visayas and the Mindanao Friendship Highway that runs from Surigao to Saranggani province. Additional links to Cebu, Bacolod, Bohol, Dumaguete, and Jolo and Zamboanga are being planned for the next fiscal year.

With the improved road network adding to the nation’s domestic airports, improved ocean ferry facilities, efficient communication systems and convenient internet connections as well as the start of construction for the North Luzon Bullet Train, Malacañang has announced that it began moving several government headquarters to provinces where they can be more efficient. Malacañang has also been mulling to move to San Fernando, La Union to help decentralize Metro Manila and generate jobs outside the National Capital Region (NCR).

Meanwhile, major manufacturing companies have expanded their businesses to provinces due to the improved road access. Cooperating provinces that can easily supply the raw material and labor requirements of the relocating companies have reportedly generated additional jobs and realized increased revenues. Squatters in Metro Manila have also been observed to be dwindling and were seen trooping back to their provinces to seek their fortunes…

Had enough of dreaming? Let’s go back to work and together we can make the country better. Let’s just pray that government gets to work, too. After all, we’ve given them enough hints, haven’t we? In the mean time, let’s go back to reality.

MotorCycle Magazine Issue No. 2 is now available

Readers and subscribers of MotorCycle Magazine can now get their hands on the "Summer Sizzlers" issue with Katrina Halili and the Yamaha X-1 Show Bike on the cover. This issue features a selection of vented mesh riding jackets in the Gear Box Section while a BMW R1200 GS adventure bike, Sinski SK125 scooter and Kinetic Luna TFR 50 moped is reviewed in the Feature Bikes Section.

The Honda XRM 110 is pitted against the Kymco AXR 110 in the Wheel 2 Wheel comparison test while the new Yamaha T-135 / Sniper 135 will be subjected to a 4,600-kilometer run in Indonesia and a 3,286-kilometer run in Thailand as part of the Yamaha Pan ASEAN Touring series.

MotorCycle Magazine is available in bike shops, bike groups and participating Honda, Yamaha and Kymco dealers nationwide. It is also available in MagNet and other magazine stalls. For inquiries, please call 925-0870 and 920-6921. Grab a copy now!

Calling all USTHS Batch 1957 and 1982

Graduates of University of Santo Tomas High School (USTHS) Batch 1957 will be celebrating their Golden Jubilee while Batch 1982 (where this backseat driver belongs to) will celebrate their Silver Anniversary next year.

Preparations are underway for a grand celebration sometime in February 2007. Initial activities planned include a presentation of a new rendition of the UST Hymn to be recorded by the "Miss Saigon" star and inspirational diva Jamie Rivera (USTHS Batch 1982) and the recording of "The Magic of UST High" as sung by the graduates of Batch 1982.

Graduates of USTHS Batch 1957 and 1982 can get in touch with Ryan Patiag, USTHS ‘82 Secretariat at (0917) 822-9334 or with this writer at (0916) 590-3222. Interested parties here and abroad can also reach me at [email protected].

Here are some Backseat Driver reactions, questions and comments from last week…

Please, I need the full meaning of BMW. Thank you — 09195004953 (That’s Bavarian Motor Works.)

I’m a prospective buyer of an AUV. I’ve narrowed my choices down to either an Isuzu Crosswind XT Limited edition and a Toyota Innova E M/T diesel. What would you recommend? — 09209145165 (Depends on what you’re looking for and what you’ll use the vehicle for. Personally, I like the Isuzu’s ruggedness but I also like the Toyota’s sleekness.)

Just when the Lancer MX 1.8 won the 05 COTY compact car of the year award, I heard it’s already out of production? Sayang naman! — 09178271055 (We went straight to our sources at Mitsubishi Motors Phils. for your question and they said that the demand has prompted them to bring in a new shipment of the MX which will hopefully come out soon. Hooray!)

Its time the stupid swerving extortion racket is stopped by the authorities! Most of the extortionists haven’t even driven a day in their life! — 09178459239

Why was the Suzuki APV not included in the COTY-P testing? Did Suzuki Phils. not take part at all? — 09178810718 (As COTY-P president and STAR columnist Manny de los Reyes explained last week, the vehicles’ availability were a factor in the testing procedures. Suzuki Phils. is actually trying desperately to provide test units of their products to the media. They might not have anticipated the demand. As you might have noticed, no one among the STAR writers has test driven a Suzuki Swift yet.)

Speak out, be heard and keep those text messages coming in. To say your piece and become a "Backseat Driver", text PHILSTAR<space>FB<space> MOTORING<space>YOUR MESSAGE and send to 2840 if you’re a Globe or Touch Mobile subscriber or 334 if you’re a Smart or Talk ’n Text subscriber or 2840 if you’re a Sun Cellular subscriber. Please keep your messages down to a manageable 160 characters. You may send a series of comments using the same parameters.