First to follow must be law enforcers

This column follows with great interest the bill recently filed by Senator Bong Revilla in the Senate regarding the nationwide mandatory use of “certified” crash helmets by all those riding motorcycles, including passengers. We strongly feel it’s really about time. We just hope our lawmakers cross party lines and get this legislation passed into law ASAP. Never mind who gets the credit, the safety of the populace should go beyond traditional politics. We still have to hear from the Lower House though. A parallel legislation in the lower chamber just might speed things up. Again we just hope our legislators find this issue paramount in light of the rise of recorded accidents involving this now very popular two-wheeled transporter.

We know for a fact though that some local government officials have taken the lead in passing and enforcing ordinances requiring the use of helmets for motorcyclists. But a nationwide law would better suit the times as sales of motorcycles have gone up by leaps and bounds in the past few years and in all parts of the country, logically increasing the incidence of motorcycle-related accidents everywhere.

I’ve written in this column some time back how this problem of having helmet-less motorcyclists in the roads of Vietnam have caused quite a few deaths. But there were just too many motorcyclists in that developing country that the government, though known for strictness, found it quite difficult to require them to shell out extra money to buy one even for their own safety. But lately I learned that the government finally put its foot down and came up with stringent rules and pocket-emptying fines regarding the mandatory use of the helmet for all those who ride motorcycles.

In the past I often bump into the young senator at the gym of The Palms Country Club during my regular workouts until I decided to use my rusting personal gym at home. But if given an opportunity, I would make a strong suggestion to the popular actor-politician that part of the major provisions of his proposed bill should be the filing of administrative cases with sanctions that range from pocket-painful fines, suspension and even dismissal for law enforcers and the members military caught not abiding by the law. How many times have we seen motorcycle policemen, members of SWAT teams, military personnel in uniform, even MMDA motorcycle traffic enforcers and other persons of authority while in uniform, either flaunting their power or their stupidity by proudly and wantonly riding bare-headed aboard motorcycles in complete disregard for established rules, which I’m sure can be found buried somewhere in their manuals of safety.

The legislation should make the law enforcers lead the trail in promoting the strict use of helmets while riding motorcycles – passengers included (The truth is, many maintain that riding in tandem aboard motorcycles is not at all in the best interest of safety for both cyclist and passenger). The law should consider it a crime for these people of authority to ever ride helmet-less.

The other factor to be considered too in crafting the legislation is the logistical implications to those who use motorcycles many of whom due to their sheer lack of the means to avail themselves of other modes of transport. If the spirit of the law were really to ensure the safety of motorcyclists, which it should be, then the “certified” helmets that must be specified for actual use don’t come cheap at all. They would not be affordable to many of the motorcyclists. The possible solution here is for the law to require motorcycle distributors to include a “certified” helmet for every unit they sell – when you buy a motorcycle, the helmet goes with it. You can try asking around in other countries, like Australia and you’ll find out that it’s a trade practice. I know because Manila Times motoring Editor Brian Afuang and I found that out when we were at the Gold Coast and he tried asking some of the motorbike buffs there where they bought their helmets. They gave him a quizzed look and said, “They always come with the bikes, mate.”

We implore our legislators in both houses of Congress to work together on this one and immediately pass the proposed legislation for the nationwide mandatory use of helmets by those riding motorcycles into law. As a developing country we should brace ourselves for more of our populace opting for this more practical and less expensive mode of transport. Let’s not wait for the time when the unsafe practice of riding of motorcycles without helmets becomes a problem of almost unsolvable proportions. And please remember, the first to follow should be the law enforcers themselves.

What’s next Charmaine?

It was another well-attended affair at the Embassy at the Bonifacio Global City put together to honor the winners in the recently held Petron Xtra Mile Challenge Champions Edition where a new fuel economy record was set by the Zayco brothers, Emilio and Emmanuel. These are the same guys who first broke the record of racing “living legend” Pocholo Ramirez established two years ago of a total of 1,114 kilometers run in a full tank of Petron Xtra Unleaded by registering 1,400 kilometers in their first try last year. Now the established record by Zayco siblings stands at 1,402.4 kilometers.

Aside from the obviously superior fuel economy formulation of Petron Xtra Unleaded as demonstrated in this iconic fuel economy marathon, the other winner is the Honda Jazz, which has been consistently used in all three landmark events, with the Jazz 1300 (automatic transmission) hugging the limelight in this run by the members of the Champion’s League. Aside from the usual winner’s grin from Arnel Doria, top marketing man of Honda Cars Philippines for the added laurel in HCPI’s cap, we also see a happy Johnny Fetalvero of Honda Cars Kalookan, which prepared the winning car.

But during that victory party where booze and food flowed and when retro music of the 60s was the order of the day (Of course, I found it hard to relate to such oldies hits belted out by the band called Bloomfields, known for Beatles music) the question among the motoring media was after all this successful and award-winning marketing blitz for the Petron Xtra Unleaded staged by the gang of Joey Campos, Lito de Jesus, Mon del Rosario and the indefatigable ad and promo top honcho Charmaine Canillas, marketing gurus all, what’s next?

Well, considering the track record of this brilliant group in coming up with dynamic marketing strategies, we can only guess that whatever is next, would, as always be better than the last one.

“Eyeball” event for Subaru lovers

Proud owners of Subaru automobiles and those who aspire to have one or are just plain admirers of this Japanese sports-luxury auto brand had quite a treat last week at the Tent in Glorietta 3 in Makati.

The Subaru Club Philippines (SCP) held its first grand “eyeball” event last Friday, January 25 by parading various generations of the Subaru Impreza WRX, STI and Forester at the Ayala Center while their owners party together with their fellow Subaru enthusiasts and friends.

The SCP, officially recognized by Motor Image Pilipinas, exclusive distributors of Subaru vehicles in the country, encourages all Subaru owners to join. Members get invitations to exclusive club activities, road trips, track day and family events with special discounts for parts and accessories courtesy of Motor Image Pilipinas as assured by its country manager, Nicky Mariano.

2008 Automobile of the Year Awards gearing up

The BPI Family Savings Bank inked their sponsorship of and partnership with the 2008 Auto Focus Automobile of the Year – People’s Choice Awards last Thursday, January 24.

With the agreement, this year the public can cast their votes for their favorite automobile models in each category and their top choice for the title of “Automobile of the Year – People’s Choice” during the BPI Auto Madness Auto Shows that are held in major cities all over the country.

David G. Sarmiento, Jr., senior vice president, who signed the contract together with Herbert Tuason, vice president, both with the bank’s Auto/Motorcycle Loan division shared the same opinion that this new synergy would be more exciting to auto enthusiasts who come to their motor shows knowing that aside from conveniently seeing the latest automobile models of different brands usually in mall settings all over the country and the chance to buy them right there at premium financing rates, there’s the added incentive of being able to voice out their choices as to what automobiles in the different categories appeal to them most.

The BPI Auto Madness Motor Shows shall start their run of all major cities and areas all over the country this February. An audio-visual/voting booth would be found in these mall venues where the auto show would be held. This is where the public can view through pictures and video presentations all the entries for this year’s search for the most popular automobiles prior to casting their votes. This would give this year’s polls a wider base of voters from all over the country adding more credence to the annual prestigious awards.

Meanwhile, promotions of the polls would be further strengthened with the confirmed media partnership with top radio stations Magic 89.9, Hit FM 99.5, Wave 89.1 and Jam 88.3. Bernie Y. Buenaseda, president of The Radio Partners, Inc. managers of these top-rating FM stations also confirmed the participation of their provincial radio stations in promoting the voting during the BPI Auto Madness Auto Shows as they make their provincial sorties.

Everything’s looking good for this year’s search for the most popular automobiles as judged by the public – the 2008 Auto Focus Automobile of the Year – People’s Choice Awards.

Happy Motoring!!!

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