Motoring Today Column

Jun 14, 2023

On June 7, 1987, Motoring Today, a television program dedicated to serve the interests of motorists and the development of local motorsports, first aired on then PTV-4 , hosted by this columnist and the late great Pocholo Ramirez .

Since then we can proudly say that Motoring Today has become the longest-running program on local television providing news on and showcasing the latest developments in the local automotive and the after-market industry.

In editions aired weekly, Motoring Today also covered and helped nurture the growth of racing and local motorsports heroes.

More importantly Motoring Today provided news and commentary that serve the interest of road safety, the welfare of motorists, pedestrians and commuters, all the while espousing the enjoyment of motoring, hence our catchphrase, Happy Motoring!

On its 36th year, Motoring Today, along with Auto Focus , another program produced by Sunshine Television, continues the STV mission and vision of propagating "Happy Motoring" on television while taking on the same message and cause on social media, through its Facebook page and on Youtube.

We'd like to then take this opportunity to thank our friends in the automotive industry, the after-market sector, and all our sponsors and advertisers, who through more than three decades have supported our Happy Motoring vision and mission.

We'd also like to acknowledge all those who've been part of our extensive coverage of motoring and motorsports - both in the government and the private sector - as special co-hosts, guests, interviewees, advocates for safety.

And most of all, we'd like to thank loyal viewers of Motoring Today who through the years helped make our Happy Motoring mission/vision a worthy and enjoyable enterprise.

Green Tollways

Daily tollways are traversed by thousands of vehicles which are considered among the worst contributors of carbon emissions harmful to the environment.

And it is quite commendable that some tollway operators are working to lessen the carbon footprint of its operations.

One such tollway operators is Metro Pacific Tollways South which recently hosted another Envirosafe Tour to showcase its commitment to environmental safety while promoting sustainable tourism.

MPT-South invited members of media and other stakeholders to a tour of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway, including the soon-to-open Subsection 4 and Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange .

The tour showcased energy-efficient equipment along CALAX, including solar-powered toll plazas and LED lighting fixtures, as well as the fruits of its initiative to plant trees and create so-called bio-diverse areas or green spaces within the tollway.

The tour also highlighted MPT-South's efforts to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises along communities it serves in coordination with the Municipal Economic and Investment Promotions Office (MEIPO) of Silang and the Imus City Environment and Natural Resources Office .

Raul L. Ignacio, MPT South president and general manager, avows the tollway recognizes the importance of balancing progress with responsible practices and remains committed to implementing initiatives that prioritize sustainability, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.

MPT-South comes under the umbrella of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation , which espouses broader sustainability efforts in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals , actively contributing to the global agenda for a more sustainable and greener future.

Plastic IDs Coming

Drivers can expect to be issued plastic licenses by July at the latest.

According to news reports, the Department of Transportation expects to procure at least 500,000 plastic cards for licenses by July.

This was revealed by DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista during a recent hearing conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee .

According to the reports, Bautista told senators that the DOTr was already at the post qualification stage of the procurement process.

If the lowest bidder passes post-qualification, the DOTr expects to get at least 500,000 plastic cards for licenses by July, Bautista told senators while admitting the backlog has increased to around 690,000 .

Earlier, the Land Transportation Office extended the validity of driver's licenses that would have expired beginning April 24 until October 21 to await procurement of plastic cards for licenses.

According to LTO memorandum circular, all holders of driver's license cards expiring on April 24, 2023 onwards shall no longer be required to renew their licenses until October 31, 2023 or as soon the driver's license cards become available for distribution to the public.

The memorandum circular also said all penalties for late renewal transaction shall be waived.

The procurement of plastic cards for licenses should be good news for drivers waiting to renew licenses with extended validity. But what about those who have the so-called paper licenses? Will they be given priority in getting real plastic licenses?

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments & inquiries:

(email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

(website) www.motoringtoday.ph