C-5 still risky

Since this alternative highway was put into use to help lessen the volume of traffic traversing EDSA, the C-5 has been the scene of accidents, mostly involving pedestrians, especially during its early years.

I remember one of its earliest major problems was lighting up the long multi-lane highway. The initial attempts failed only a short time after installation simply because almost the entire wiring system was stolen time and again. I think the stealing was minimized but not completely ceased when it was decided that burying the wiring underground was a deterrent to theft as it would take a longer time to run off with the wires when the robbers would have to dig for them. The dimly-lit C-5 was a favorite hunting ground of holduppers and car thieves. Although I guess this problem has been addressed by some local governments in most of the C-5.

Then there was the repeated incidence of random rock-throwing, which caused not only dented hoods, roofs and shattered windshields but also damaging accidents resulting to injuries and further damages caused by surprised and shocked drivers that lost control of their vehicles.

And there were the numerous cases of dashing pedestrians being struck or run over by drivers, many of whom were just merely cruising. I remember having written in one of my columns when the C-5 was newly opened to traffic that, “it could be one of the very few or the only high-speed highway in the world that has pedestrian lanes”. But this was given solution by the MMDA by providing a few but not enough pedestrian overpasses, which many pedestrians still refuse to make use of, preferring to play “patintero” with speeding vehicles.

Many are saying that the endemic cause of pedestrian accidents along C-5 is the presence of squatters (informal settlers, if you will) on either side and still in many parts of the alternative thoroughfare. Though it may still take some time before all informal settlers would be finally resettled out of the C-5 area, some traffic engineering works have been done to prevent the wanton presence of pedestrians on the highway.

One measure was the installation of a 10-foot wire fence in the center island to make it difficult for many to hurdle, thus discouraging any attempt to cross the C-5. Great, until some people decided to cut man-size holes in the wire fence and in some areas they even took out entire panels.

Then the MMDA started erecting walls on both sides of C-5 (These are similar, but sturdier, to the wire fences that you see on both sides of the north and south tollways put up to prevent animals from straying inside, which could cause unimaginable grim consequences to motorists). In an on-cam interview on the TV show Motoring Today early last year before the elections, I remember one of the top officials of the MMDA saying that they were targeting to finish the putting up of these retaining walls along the entire stretch of C-5 from Makati to Nichols by the end of 2010. I asked about the status of the retaining wall project because of inquiries from motorists regarding the long time the project seemed to take to be finished and why in some areas in the finished part of the retaining walls there were already some panels missing, which seemed to give advantage to vulcanizing shops or whatever place of business that the wall had covered from view and affected their business.

Well, it’s the middle of 2011 and the MMDA official I interviewed is no longer there and the missing concrete panels that form part of the retaining wall along C-5 are increasing by the week.

With most of the center island wire fencing being left with mere iron frames minus the wires and the finished part of the unfinished retaining wall having gaping walls that seem to get wider by the week, it is still a risk traveling through C-5, the alternative main thoroughfare of the metropolis.

Autohaus BMW for BMW M automobiles

Our good friend, one-time Congressman, Tony Aquino, president of Autohaus BMW was beaming during the ceremonies where Asian Carmakers Corporation, sole distributor and importer of BMW automobiles in the country headed by its very lovely lady-president Ms. Maricar Parco officially designated Autohaus in Libis as the official M Certified Dealership in the Philippines.

BMW “M” automobiles are manufactured by BMW M GmbH, which is a 100 per cent subsidiary of BMW AG. Although BMW M GmbH has the status of an independent automobile manufacturer, their production is integrated in the manufacturing process of the BMW plants.

In explaining further about the history of BMW M cars, Maricar said, “Based in Munich, the company was founded in 1972 as BMW Motorsport Gmbh. Since then, the letter “M” has become synonymous all over the world for success in motor racing and for the fascination of high performance sports cars which can be used for everyday driving”.

Congressman Aquino, a veteran of the auto industry, who once owned the famed Toyota dealership Autosphere, before the pull-out of the top auto manufacturer due to political uncertainties of the era confidently said during the well-attended event, “We are aware of the market demand for BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M high performance automobiles. And with the elegant showroom amenities of Autohaus BMW Libis that comes complete with elegant dining facilities at the Zeno for our clients’ ultimate comfort and state-of-the-art service facilities for their high level of confidence, we are ready to take on the challenge”.

Congratulations to Autohaus BMW Libis.

Welcome for two – new Honda Accord and new HCPI prexy

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) recently launched amid the sophisticated environs of one of the high-end bars at Resorts World, the latest version of its flagship model, the Honda Accord.

The 2011 Accord comes with new front grille and bumper designs with its rear garnished with chrome on its trunk. Both of its variants, the Accord 2.4 li and the Accord 3.5 li now come with front corner sensors in addition to its rear sensors for easy parking. Furthermore, the 2.4 li variant has a new 17” alloy wheel design while the 3.5 li now comes with hands-free telephone connectivity via Bluetooth to handle calls safely and conveniently especially for those executives who would rather drive than be chauffeured around.

During the dressed-up event, I also finally had the opportunity to meet “up close and personal” the new president of HCPI, who according to some dealers and members of the media who have met him, is indeed a better version of his immediate predecessor.

HCPI president, Mr. Tatsuya Natsume, came as “a regular guy” that can be easily liked when he obliged to display his singing prowess during his first meeting with the media, which I failed to attend, by belting a couple of Beatles’ hits. This would give our good friend and certified “beatlemaniac”, Lexus-Manila president, Danny “Sir John” Isla a run for his money. I look forward to the day that I can invite all together Natsume-san, Sir John and Al “Sir Paul” Mendoza for a night of singing Fab Four favorites with Elvis hits for intermission.

Aside from loving listening to music, Mr. Natsume also loves to play Rugby, a sport that’s not played in the Philippines, but can be found in a different form in the hands of some street children in the metro. I was so tempted to ask him if he really missed Rugby so much and that I could do something about it. But then, that was the first time we met and the joke could be politically improper. But maybe I should have.

But he comes as a friendly but no nonsense executive who just might give HCPI a breath of much-needed fresh air and new management style to ably face the challenges the “number 4” car company in the country is trying to overcome presently, in which his predecessor, according to many HCPI insiders and local Honda dealers, reportedly miserably failed.

I wish the amiable new president of HCPI, Natsume-san all the best in his new assignment here in the country and Honda Cars Philippines all the luck in getting back its past glory in the Philippine auto industry.

Congratulations in your successful launch of the 2011 Honda Accord.

Audi pens participation in road safety school tour

It was at the elegant showroom of PGA Cars amidst high-end luxury automobile models where Benedicto “Bene” Coyiuto, president of Audi Philippines signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Sunshine Television (STV) and its benefactor Social Communications Foundation for Asia (Socio-Com Foundation Asia) confirming their company’s most eager participation in this year’s Young Street Smarts Road Safety School Tour.

“My father would always say to us that we don’t just sell expensive cars, we also have our corporate responsibilities and one of them is to promote road safety,” confirmed Bene while putting on ink their firm support for the project that promotes road safety education for the youth. The “father” is of course business tycoon and auto industry leader Robert Coyiuto, Jr.

The 2011Young Street Smarts Road Safety School Tour, which conducts free seminars/workshops to high school students centering on vital road safety topics like the meaning of traffic signs and road markings, right of way, road courtesy, dangers of drunk driving and safe and proper motor bike riding starts in July soon after this school year opens.

Happy Motoring!!!

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