The MMDA should be reasonable

Here’s a follow-up to my column last week.

As a brief backgrounder, Mr. Cyrus Lim, a reader, wrote to inform us of a highly questionable practice of "MMDA accredited tow trucks". Having stalled in C-5 because of a malfunctioning clutch, he immediately called Wheelers Club, of which he is a member, to avail of the free towing services his membership entitles him to. While waiting for the Wheelers Club tow truck, another tow truck suddenly appeared and immediately attached the tow bar to his vehicle, despite his insistence that the Wheelers Club tow truck was en route. This tow truck was marked "MMDA Accredited Tow Truck".

As I said last week I shall try to find out the MMDA’s policies regarding towing and I did. My staff was informed by MMDA personnel that indeed their accredited tow trucks are empowered to tow stalled vehicles without any period of time for relief or to wait for whatever help the involved motorists may have summoned. Indeed stiff, isn’t it?

Although the tow truck gave him a discount for their services, it was still a steep price to pay (P1,000.00 for some 300 meters to the nearest gasoline station). And to think that the tow truck of Wheelers Club was on its way, and he did not have to fork any amount for such services.

Almost everyone now avails of this kind of service which comes with membership in associations like the Automobile Association of the Philippines and Wheelers Club, and certain insurance companies like Prudential Guarantee also offer this service for free to their policy holders. Some major car companies like Toyota and Ford also offer tow services as part of their after sales promos. So where does this leave the "MMDA accredited tow trucks"?

As someone who takes responsible motoring to heart, I appreciate the problems of MMDA. A stalled vehicle in a narrow two-way lane can cause tremendous build-up of traffic, so an immediate towing of stalled vehicles is reasonable and logical, and is in fact efficient service, as far as I am concerned. However, I don’t quite subscribe to the idea when it applies to multi-lane thoroughfares like the C-5 where Mr. Lim stalled. When it doesn’t cause any traffic or safety concerns, when there is in fact, help coming and the hapless motorist does not have to shell out extra money (P1,000 is not peanuts money these days), I question the prudence of such a practice of immediate towing even in areas where the motorist can move the stalled vehicle to the side of the road where it would not impede the traffic flow. A "relief window" of a maximum of thirty minutes should be allowed to give enough time for the help that the involved motorist has called for to arrive and bring the stalled vehicle to a place of safety and where it can be fixed.

Now, some tow trucks have distinguished themselves with vigilant marketing bordering on strong-arm tactics and victimizing hapless motorists already faced with the hassle of a stalled vehicle. Maybe the MMDA should review their list of accredited tow trucks and weed out the undesirables. Having accreditation from the MMDA does not give them any license for arm-twisting.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, how about it?

Bangkok Motor Show

By the time this column comes out of the press I would be part of some nineteen motoring journalists invited by Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) to attend the Bangkok International Motor Show at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center in Thailand.

We are privileged to be in the company of IPC vice president for business development division, Art Balmadrid together with Isuzu’s media specialists Timmy Naval and Ronald Baladad together with Mario Ojales, Eleonor Dizon and Mary Joy Andrada.

And as in any motoring journalist’s dream we have had hours and hours of test driving with the famous "Thai massage" in between while waiting for one’s turn to subject these beautiful but very sturdy workhorses of remarkable vehicles from the esteemed Isuzu stable.

Thailand has distinguished itself as the automotive hub of the ASEAN Region with most of the major automobile companies having their major manufacturing and assembly plants located in the country and indeed an international motor show of this magnitude is expected of them. It may not compare yet to the likes of the Tokyo Motor Show, but for those who have attended its previous staging, they say that it’s not far from being there.

I hope to give you the highlights of this major international motor show in the region in our future columns. Watch for it.

Pit Lane Notes

"Same shirt, different day." I’m sure you’ve seen this slogan in at least a couple of shirts in your lifetime. Well, the Malaysian Grand Prix felt just like wearing an old shirt on a different day — same results, different race. It was just like last season — Renault once again dominated, Fernando Alonso once again set the fastest lap, and Kimi Raikkonen once again ran into a fit of bad luck. Poor Kimi can never get a break — in the last race, he started at the back of the grid (but still managed to go on the podium — wonders never cease), and in Sepang, he ran into an accident barely a minute into the race.

As usual, the Sepang track was smokin’ hot — and the Renaults were on fire. They finished 1-2 with Giancarlo Fisichella taking the 3rd win of his career after successfully grabbing his 3rd pole ever. Fernando Alonso was almost as good, and his 2nd place finish kept him on top of the standings. It was refreshing to see no "team orders" ala-Ferrari being carried out by the Renaults. Honda’s Jenson Button finished 3rd, who, despite being pleased to be back on the podium, was also disappointed because the team was expecting a win. McLaren’s Juan Pablo Montoya shook off the jinx and managed to gain 5 points for his team. Felipe Massa, Michael Schumacher, and Jacques Villeneuve finished 5th, 6th, and 7th respectively, while Ralf Schumacher rounded up the points circle at 8th place.

In typical Sepang fashion, the track was almost unbearably hot and most of the drivers complained of feeling dehydrated after the race. The heat, however, was no match for race winner Giancarlo Fisichella, who had a nearly perfect weekend from qualifying to the race itself. The Renaults sure have been leaving everyone in their dust these past couple of races. I’m still waiting for Schumi to pull out all the stops before his rumored retirement — will the next race be the one where he’ll show us the still has it?

Motoring Tip of the Week

Every year, more or less at this time just as summer starts, we remind you to save your wiper blades from being "cooked" by the hot, sizzling summer sun and cause them to harden and ineffective by the time you would need them when the rainy days start again.

You can actually install your old ones during the summer when you least need them and re-install the ones you have kept all through the hot days when the rainy season begins. Try it, it works and saves you a lot of money too.

Auditions and interviews are still on-going

Sunshine Television still conducts auditions for those interested to become on-come TV presenters or segments hosts as well as interviews for those who may be interested to engage in TV production work.

The number to call for more information is 633-4422.

Happy Motoring!!!

For Comments: e-mail [email protected].