TESDA, public utility drivers' clearing house

Word recently came out that officials of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are contemplating on having women drivers man (woman?) buses in EDSA with the end view of having more disciplined, law abiding and knowledgeable drivers of public conveyances over the present lot whose majority represent what’s the opposite.

This possible option was even strengthened further with the declaration of a legislator that a bill would soon be introduced in Congress that would require the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide the necessary training and accreditation for women who would like to become public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.

These developments made me send my TV crew to TESDA to find out whether such an existing training program was included in their array of skills development programs for women. I just had the gut feel that this could be a faster option to ease us of the myriad of problems caused by most PUV drivers due to their being undisciplined, uninformed and untrained.

As a result, last Sunday, I aired my one-on-one, on-camera interview with Director Marta M. Hernandez of TESDA on the TV show Motoring Today. On the portion Motoring Forum, where we discuss every week topics that are of vital importance to the general motoring public, we learned from our TV chat that TESDA currently has a thinning treasure trove of extensively trained and highly skilled workers who readily get employed, many of them abroad, after undergoing their skills development program. A good number of these skilled workers are women who train for jobs traditionally meant for men, like welding, automotive engine repair, air conditioning, etc.

Although TESDA currently does not have a skills development program for women drivers, Director Hernandez said there won’t be any problem coming out with one if needed. And this is possible even without legislation.

With the possible knowledge of what ails our present crop of PUV drivers, the articulate TESDA director volunteered that the development program would emphasize, aside from teaching traffic rules, signs, road markings, etc., and actual driving skills is the right attitude and frame of mind of a safe and responsible driver of a public transport – all wanting from a great majority of our PUV drivers.

Having women PUV drivers who are well-trained in driving skills, very knowledgeable in traffic rules and regulations and with the right values and attitude that are produced by an internationally-recognized training center such as TESDA could be a good start in ridding our streets of the undesirable and the undeserving.

Now, having to bear all these years with many half-baked local driving school graduates, many of whom are clueless even about the most basic traffic signs and rules leads us to wonder if things would turn out for the better if those applying for PUV driver’s license and even those who are renewing should first be tested by TESDA and certified fit to drive before being allowed to go behind the wheel.

That’s what the legislation should be. Think about it.

SPMJ gives recognition to 3 meaningful decades

Last Friday, February 11 the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ) a group composed of motoring editors, columnists, broadcast journalists and hosts/producers of motoring TV shows presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Felix J. Mabilog, Jr. the retiring president of Columbian AutoCar Corporation (CAC), exclusive distributors of Kia vehicles in the Philippines.

It was during an intimate dinner at the Sports Den, the elegant gaming lounge of Valle Verde Country Club, which was attended by CAC executives, Dodie Gañac, vp for marketing, Boying Soriano, marketing services manager and Chut Velasquez, dealer development manager with their wives Joan, Marissa and Rina, respectively, together with the honoree’s wife Pritchie, where members of SPMJ took their turns in extolling the endearing attributes of the honoree.

But the heart-warming testimonials from the SPMJ members only came after the more revealing ones from no less than the invited CAC executives present who worked very closely with the “fiery boss” with the most caring character. The testimonials came contrasting at times but reflected a common feeling of love and high respect for the man.

SPMJ distinguished the indefatigable auto industry veteran in his Lifetime Achievement Award “for 39 years of dedicated service to the Philippine Automotive Industry, selflessly sharing his extensive experience and immense knowledge for its betterment – SPMJ recognizes the invaluable contribution of Mr. Felix J. Mabilog, Jr. as a significant driver in the Philippine Automotive industry”.

Our good friend Felix (Ely to friends of old) started in the local auto scene as the marketing director of DMG, the formidable distributors of the then very hot selling Volkswagen “Beetle” in 1970 then moved to Mitsubishi Motors in 1980, shifted for a while to the pharmaceutical industry in 1985 to be the vp of operations of multinational Mead Johnson and evp of Ashford Laboratories and then back to automobiles in 1992 as Senior VP for manufacturing of CAC and by 2005 up to yesterday, February 15, 2011, retiring as president.

It was a very distinguished and awesome 3-decade enviable managerial career. But Mr. Mabilog insisted on that evening that old soldiers, like him, “never die, they just fade away”.

However, let me tell you this, Mr. Felix J. Mabilog, Jr., the recognized significant driver in the Philippine automotive industry, may have parked his car... But, listen, his engine is still running!

Happy Motoring!!!

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