Motoring Today Column

Jan 12, 2022

The numbers are daunting. And it may not reflect what is really happening in this scary post-holidays surge of Covid-19 cases.

As of this writing, the number of new Covid-19 positive cases reported by the Department of Health (DOH) has breached the 28,000 mark.

But many believe much much more cases are not recorded, citing knowing entire households of relatives quarantining themselves because family members are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, many confirmed by rapid antigen tests.

The true numbers may be double or triple the official count, some say. Others even putting the real number of cases well past a hundred thousand.

One good positive though is that cases are mostly mild. Another is that many families are recovering at home with households doing the responsible thing and just locking themselves down so as not to spread the contagion.

Still the continuing surge is worrying. And perhaps more needs to be done by health, transport and other relevant authorities to contain the contagion and seemingly endless mutations.

Perhaps even rethink some of policies.

At the start of the year, when it became evident that cases were rising exponentially, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) issued a reminder to bus, PUV, and transport terminal operators in the National Capital Region (NCR) to ensure minimum health protocols and observe the 70 percent capacity restrictions.

The reminder came in one of the first memorandums issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in 2022 telling transport stakeholders to to closely supervise their drivers and conductors, and ensure that they strictly adhere to health protocols particularly the 70 percent maximum passenger capacity on PUVS.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) also issued a memorandum in the New Year calling on PUV operators, drivers and, perhaps more importantly, passengers to follow the 7 Commandments for Public Transport.

By this time, perhaps everyone knows the 7 Commandments by heart:

1 . Wear face masks;

2. No talking and making phone calls;

3. No eating;

4. Keep public utility vehicles well ventilated;

5. Conduct of frequent disinfection;

6. No passengers with COVID-19 symptoms are to be allowed inside the public transportation;

7. Observe appropriate physical distancing rule.

But are people actually observing the seven commandments?

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade also issued this reminder: "It is the responsibility of each individual to comply with this requirement. These 7 Commandments for Public Transport create a sense of Bayanihan among us Filipinos, which is needed in the fight against the pandemic."

NLEX in 2022

NLEX Corporation is looking forward to more expansion projects in 2022.

In a press statement, NLEX Corporation president and general manager J. Luigi L. Bautista said: "Continuous improvement will always be our priority. As the company ends 2021 with a positive note, we welcome 2022 with optimism as there are big-ticket projects that we will complete and commence this year."

NLEX said these projects include theNLEX C5 Link Mindanao Avenue-Quirino Highway Section, the Candaba Third Viaduct, and NLEX Connector .

Other projects set to begin construction this year is the new two-kilometer expressway section between the existing Mindanao Avenue toll plaza and Quirino Highway in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Part of the 11.5-kilometer NLEX C5 Link between Mindanao Avenue, this new saction is expected to cut travel time between Mindanao Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue to 10 minutes instead of the usual 45 minutes.

The third bridge at Candaba Viaduct will be widened from three lanes to four lanes per direction to enhanced the mobility and safety of motorists, NLEX said.

The 8-kilometer NLEX Connector that passes through5th Avenue/C3 Road, España Blvd. all the way to Sta. Mesa, Manila is also targeted for completion this year.

Black Series Montero

Those waiting for the Black Series Montero should now contact their nearest Mitsubishi dealership to be among the first to get one.

The Black Series editions of the Xpander and the Strada have caused much excitement among Mitsubishi fans and many wondered when Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) will include is seven-seater SUV in the black lineup.

MMPC has just launched the Montero Sport Black Series.

Said Takeshi Hara, MMPC president and CEO: "Black symbolizes power, elegance and sophistication. With the addition of the Montero Sport in our Black Series collection, we wish to appeal to a market that intends to project the same characteristics at the same time give them an SUV that is built to handle anything."

GAC Lucky

Purchasing two car service vouchers fromGAC Motor PH's Lazmall Flagship store duringLazada 11.11 Biggest One-Day Sale got Sherwin Santos of Calamba, Laguna one of biggest ever Christmas gift-a brand new GS8 4x2 Sport.

Santos won the grand prize of the raffle held by GAC Philippines on that fateful 11.11 day.

Said Santos after getting the keys to his brand new GAC GS8 4x2 Sport: "Out of the so many entries, kami po ang nabunot sa raffle, at dalawang car service vouchers ang na-avail namin sa Lazada. Siguro, blessing sa amin ni God ito. Kasi, wala talaga kaming sariling sasakyan, ngayon pa lang kami magkakaroon. Sobrang saya naming pamilya!"

Wilbert Lim, president and CEO of GAC Motor Philippines , said its LazMall flagship store has enabled it to reach out to new and existing customers and make the availing of car services and car reservations easier.

Lim added that the GAC Lazada store will soon include car parts and accessories.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments & inquiries:

(email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

(website) www.motoringtoday.ph