Motoring Today Column

Jul 12, 2023

Everyone agrees that driver education is one of the most important steps toward making our roads safer and motoring a lot more happier.

Much of the traffic congestion on streets and road accidents can be traced to ill-discipline and ignorance of even the most basic of right of way rules, safe practices and road courtesy.

So making tuition at private driving schools more affordable and offering free driving courses at district and branch offices were among the commendable actions undertaken by the Land Transportation Office .

Back in April, LTO Memorandum Circular JMT-2023-2390 took effect.

The memo set omnibus guidelines for the accreditation, supervision and control of driving institutions, and the standardization of driver and conductor's education.

The guidelines aimed to establish an accreditation system that ensures and strengthens the compliance of driving institutions with prescribed education standards as well as placed a cap on how much driving schools can charge for lessons and instructions.

Many saw this as a huge step in the right direction towards a better educated and disciplined generation of drivers on the roads and highways.

However, the LTO may be taking a step back.

According to news reports, the LTO has suspended the acceptance and processing of applications for new driving schools effective June 30.

At the same time, in a memorandum dated June 23, the LTO also called for a review and evaluation of the omnibus guidelines for accrediting and regulation of driving schools.

To be sure the memo also said LTO regional accreditation committees could continue to process all applications received before the suspension took effect.

In explaining the call for a review of LTO Memorandum Circular JMT-2023-2390, the LTO said good governance requires that guidelines can be reviewed and evaluated to ensure their effectiveness.

Reviewing and evaluating guidelines is part and parcel of good governance, but some are questioning whether this is not precipitate with regards to guidelines that are in place for less than a handful of months.

What needs to be changed in the guidelines that need to be changed so soon after being implemented?

Some are even now asking if the caps placed on tuition fees and other charges imposed by driving schools are part of the review.

MMPC's New Chairman

Let's congratulate Noriaki Hirakata on his appointment as the first chairman of the board of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation .

MMPC says the appointment of a chairman of the board reflects the brand's stronger commitment to enhancing corporate governance and driving sustainable business growth.

Noriaki Hirakata is concurrently assistant executive officer of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, responsible for Corporate Strategy Management at the Tokyo Head Office.

MMPC said that as chairman of the board, Noriaki Hirakata 's main responsibility is to oversee implementation of strategic business plans by the Executive Management Committee in order to further solidify the brand's position as market leader in the Philippines .

A TCCCI First

Let's also congratulate The Covenant Car Company, Inc. and its president and CEO, our good friend Atty. Albert B. Arcilla , on the launch of the New Generation 2024 Trax.

"The Philippines is the first country in Southeast Asia to launch the 2024 Trax, and we are proud to include this new generation crossover SUV in our local lineup of exciting Chevrolet vehicles," says Arcilla.

This is certainly an achievement that shows how the Philippines is an important market for Chevrolet.

"The 2024 Trax is the first among several Chevrolet automobiles that TCCCI-Chevrolet Philippines has in store for the Filipino market, and it ushers in a new wave of modern Chevy models which are sure to be compelling choices for new car buyers because of their advanced technologies, stylish designs, and overall brand pedigree," adds Arcilla.

Manufactured at the General Motors plant in South Korea , the 2024 Chevrolet Trax features Chevrolet's revolutionary design philosophy and pioneering technologies.

Ernesto Ortiz, president and managing director of General Motors' Strategic Markets, Alliances and Distributors , gave a message during the launch of the 2024 Trax.

"We are confident that this model will make great strides in the Philippines, in the same way it has in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and South Korea. We look forward to seeing the success of the Trax in collaboration with TCCCI, who has been our trusted partner for Chevrolet in the Philippines for almost 14 years."

Happy Motoring!!!

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