MANILA, Philippines - The Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), will announce winners of the first-ever NLEXcellence Safety Awards tonight at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia.
The Safety Awards recognize NLEX users, specifically bus and truck companies, who share the same values on road safety as the NLEX.
“The NLEXcellence Safety Awards demonstrates how deeply we recognize safety as a shared value between the awardees and ourselves,†said MNTC vice president and CEO Rodrigo Franco.
“We would like to acknowledge our like-minded partners and further promote MNTC’s strong advocacy for road safety,†added MNTC vice president for marketing Rene U. Ticzon.
There are three categories with five winners each for a total of 15 winners, chosen from among the top 50 bus and truck companies with good known road safety standards. The categories are: vehicle quality, drivers’ professionalism and company operational excellence.
Nominees for the Vehicle Quality category are assessed based on the vehicles roadworthiness, specifically the condition of the vehicles’ engine, tires, brakes, lights, etc., the presence of safety devices and emergency tools, presence of required documents, as well as the vehicles’ cleanliness and the comfort of the driver and his assistant.
In the Driver’s Professionalism category, nominees are evaluated based on their skills in driving, knowledge of traffic rules, regulations and signs, physical fitness, health and presentable appearance, apprehension record, their regulatory compliance and driving qualifications.
In the Company Operational Excellence category, companies are assessed on the basis of their safety record, company policies and programs that promote Safety such as regular physical examination of drivers that may include drug and alcohol tests, regular skills training and behavioral workshops, close management and supervision, etc.
The company should also have an extensive “vehicle care program†such as regular preemptive maintenance, mandatory replacement of tires and other wearing parts.