Motoring Today Column

Nov 02, 2022

Electric LOVE

The electric vehicle industry is finally getting some love from the government which is now more actively supporting its development.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is stepping up support for the electrification of public and private transport.

At the 10th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, DOTr Road Transport Undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor said that the department was working with theDepartments of Energy (DOE) and theTrade and Industry (DTI) on theComprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry or CREVI.

The CREVI will ensure provisions and implementing rules and regulations ofRepublic Act 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) are effectively implemented, Pastor said.

The DOTr commits to drive and support a multi-sectoral approach in the development, commercialization, and utilization of electric vehicles in support of the EVIDA, Pastor said.

In a separate event, DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista pledged the department's support for the adoption of electric EVs in public transport and by private motorists.

During the launch of the first mall-based free charging stations for electric vehicles at Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Bautista said the promotion of electric vehicles is part of national development plan for the industry.

With EVIDA and CREVI, the DOTr cannot be said to be just paying lip service in expressing support for the electric vehicle industry.

Ride-Hailing Slots

There were not enough takers the last time the LTFRB opened new slots for TNVS units. But with traffic worsening and complaints from commuters continuing to mount, the LTFRB is reconsidering its decision to close down the window for applications.

Earlier in the year, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board opened 7,000 new slots for Transport Network Vehicle Service units.

But only around 2,000 slots were taken up by TNVS operators. The deadline came and went without new applications to fill up the remaining slots prompting the LTFRB to close the window.

However, according to published reports, the LTFRB is not totally closing the door on possibly reopening the window for applications.

The reports said LTFRB technical division chief Joel Bolano has revealed that the board is currently studying whether or not to reopen applications.

Meanwhile, a commuter group, The Passenger Forum, continues to complain about the surge fees or surcharges being imposed by TNVS operators.

The commuter group blamed the lack of TNVS units on the road for the skyrocketing fares for ride-hailing services.

Transport Network Companies like Grab can charge up double the fare matrix when demand for TNVS units is high.

Grab and other existing ride-hailing services have it so good with surge pricing. Meanwhile, the LTFRB and other observers are seemingly clueless about why few are interested in applying to operate TNVS units.

Next Gen Fords

Ford just flexed the capabilities of the Everest and theRanger by holding the NextGeneration Ford Drive Experience.

Motoring jornos got to test the next generation Everest and Ranger on a drive from the Clark Freeport Zone to San Marcelino in Zambales and back.

The drive took lucky participants up to Lake Mapanuepe and experience driving both SUV and pickup through various road conditions and terrain.

For the Everest, the better to be immersed in its various drive modes, features and driver-assist technologies. The drive afforded participants the chance to see how such features as Mud/Ruts Mode on muddy lahar trails and to test its Water Wading Capability.

For the Ranger, it was the Parking Exercises that showed how the next gen pickup has features that make parking a breeze.

Mark Breen, Ford Philippines managing director said the next generation Ford Drive Experience allowed media partners to experience the full capabilities of both the next gen Ranger and Everest in real driving conditions while showcasing their versatility, reliability, safety and connectivity.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments & inquiries:

(email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

(website) www.motoringtoday.ph

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ray Butch Gamboa graduated from the College of Arts and Letters of the University of Sto. Tomas. It was a course that should have been preparatory to a law degree, but the call of broadcasting aborted his plans.

At the age of 16, while still a student, Butch tried his hand at disc jockeying, landing a job at Mareco Broadcasting Network’s AM stations DZBM and DZLM. From there, Butch moved on with his illustrious career as a popular disc jockey, riding the airwaves of Bob Stewart’s middle-of-the-road music at DZXX, and ending his disc jockeying career at ABS-CBN’s DZYL and DZQL.

From there, he stayed on with ABS-CBN, covering live the proceedings at the Manila Stock Exchange and eventually entered into the world of television sales as an account manager for the premier channel of ABS-CBN Channel 2.

In the early 70’s, at the outbreak of Martial Law, Butch was one of the thousands of professionals who woke up jobless when then President Marcos declared the new status of the nation. With the closure of ABS-CBN, Butch ventured into different fields outside of broadcast. He tried his hand and with ease and success at export (Costume jewelry), real estate (brokerage), and restaurants (fast food).

In 1987, after the revolution, with the broadcast industry back to its free state, and with its irresistible call ringing in his ears, Butch made his inevitable comeback and pioneered in a local motoring show, producing Motoring Today on Channel 4 and co-hosting with local motor sports’ living legend Pocholo Ramirez.

After 4 years, he ventured into another pioneering format by producing and hosting Business & Leisure, which was originally aired on ABS-CBN’s Channel 2. The format eventually espoused similar ones in other different channels. But the clones in due course faded away leaving the original staying on airing on Channel 4 and eventually on Shop TV on Sky Cable’s Channel 13.

The following year, the pioneering spirit in Butch spurred him to produce another TV show, Race Weekend, also on Channel 4, covering circuit racing at the Subic International Raceway after the motor sport’s hiatus of 17 years. But when similar shows with duplicated formats sprouted, he decided to give way and ended the program after a year, although still enjoying unparalleled viewership.

In 1998, when the local automotive industry was in a slump, Butch contributed his share to help the ailing industry by producing another popular motoring-related show, this time exclusive to the automobile and its industry—Auto Focus, which became a vehicle for local automotive assemblers and importers to showcase their products and dwell on the industry’s latest technological developments.

In 2003, Butch teamed up with his brother, Rey Gamboa who was a former Shell executive and presently one Philippine Star’s business columnist to co-produce and co-host the TV show Breaking Barriers on Channel 13. It is a talk show that features guests who are in the news and in the middle of controversies. The program ventures to draw deeper insights into current issues to learn how they impact to our daily lives.

Today, Motoring Today on its 28th year of service to the general motoring public still enjoys its unprecedented loyal vierwership nationwide while Auto Focus, after 16 years has firmly established its niche viewership among automobile enthusiasts and on the other hand Business & Leisure is on its 24th year dishing out current business issues and lifestyle features.

Today, aside from writing weekly columns for the Philippine Star (Motoring Today on Wednesdays and Business & Leisure on Saturdays) and executive producer / host of weekly TV shows (Motoring Today, airs Sundays on Solar Sports Channel 70, Business & Leisure, airs Tuesdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13 and Auto Focus airs Thursdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13, Ray Butch Gamboa is currently the Chairman and CEO of Sunshine Television Production and Marketing Services Corp., President of Gamcor Management and Development Corp., Chairman of Asia-Pacific Realty Corporation, President and Chairman of Socio-Communication Foundation for Asia and Founding Chairman of the Society of Phil. Motoring Journalists (SPMJ)