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GOODYEAR’S “Bayani ng Kalsada,” an annual nationwide
search for drivers whose courage and extraordinary
service help underscore the value of safety on the road,
is now held in two countries in
Asia and is on its second year in the
Philippines.
This was
disclosed by the company’s top officials during
recognition rites for a new crop of road heroes held
last week at the Center and South ballrooms of the
Diamond Hotel in
Manila.
Indonesia
and Vietnam also have their own versions of the search,
which is patterned after Goodyear’s highly successful
Highway Heroes program in the
United States
and Canada. The said program there has been going on for
the past 23 years now.
Launched
last year in the country by Goodyear, “Bayani ng Kalsada”
“is the company’s platform to promote its core value of
safety, whether it is about the road and driver, the
environment, or the workplace. This message on safety is
continually communicated by Goodyear to all its
stakeholders,” said Goodyear president and managing
director Dave Morin.
“We at
Goodyear believe that too little is known about Filipino
motorists whose strong sense of responsibility has
contributed largely to making our roads safer and
allowing commerce to operate uninterruptedly. This is
why Goodyear has taken upon itself to look for these
unsung heroes and confer upon them the recognition they
deserve. In the process, we hope that the “Bayani ng
Kalsada” program would help improve the image of
Filipino commercial drivers.
“Their
examples help drive the importance of being mindful of
other people’s welfare, especially when on the road.
That there are still honest, concerned and helpful
motorists is indeed an affirmation of every Filipino’s
basic goodness,” said Morin.
Adding
that, “amplifying the Filipino drivers’ exemplary deeds
is Goodyear’s way of inspiring local motorists to be
more responsible.” Morin assured that Goodyear “has been
known for manufacturing safe, reliable and innovative
tires for everyday use by motorists, public-utility
vehicles and truckers. Goodyear identifies with its
customers who keep industry moving or who understand the
value of a good tire to make driving safer and enjoyable
for everyone on the road.”
Following in the footsteps of 42-year-old off-road
enthusiast Hilario Mendiola, who was chosen as last
year’s winner, four drivers were given the nod this year
in four categories, such as Public Utility Jeepney,
Taxi/FX, Commercial Truck /Bus and Private/Company.
After
more than 200 nominations were meticulously studied and
screened by the secretariat before they were submitted
to a prestigious panel of judges, those who were
declared winners were Glenn Mesa, a public-utility
jeepney driver, and Venecio Atillo, a taxi driver, who
both returned their respective passengers’ valuables;
Monico Cuadillera, a truck driver who rescued the
passengers of a burning vehicle on the road; and Ronnie
Balbido, a jeepney driver who volunteered his own
vehicle to save his neighbors’ lives.
Each
winner received P30,000 cash prize, P500,000 worth of
personal accident insurance, P25,000 worth of gas
coupons, P20,000 worth of SM Home Appliance, a food cart
with P500 worth of products, P10,000 worth of training
certificate, a Revicon Forte gift pack, a plaque, as
well as “Bayani ng Kalsada” special jacket, cap and
shirt.
The
47-year-old
Mesa, who has been constantly recognized by his colleagues
for his honesty, was nominated by one of his passengers
who left her bag containing P18,000.
Mesa said, “That money would have made a lot of difference.
But I chose to stand by a simple rule which I’ve
followed all my life—‘Do not take what is not yours.’”
Atilla,
55, received two nominations—one from his taxi operator,
who recognized his deed of returning a passenger’s
digital camera, and another from an actual passenger,
who left his wallet containing money and important
documents. “I used to think heroes only existed in
history books and museums. I never imagined I would
receive such a great honor. I hope my experience will
inspire others to be heroes in their own way.”
On the
other hand, truck driver Cuadillera was nominated by his
superior upon learning of what he did in Atimonan,
Quezon, where he helped several passengers of a burning
car, while the 41-year-old Balbido, who, when not in
duty as a jeepney driver in the Alabang area, uses his
other vehicle to transport sick neighbors to the
hospital, the most recent of which was in November last
year when he rushed a neighbor, who was suffering a
heart attack, to the hospital.
Aside
from Goodyear executives and the media, other guests who
attended the awarding ceremonies were newly installed
Land Transportation Office chief Engr. Alberto Suansing,
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
members Gerardo Pinili and Ellen Cabatu, Transportation
Undersecretary Anneli Lontoc and Assistant Secretary
Dante Lantin. |
