|
REMEMBER
our earlier column that tackled “Death Highway,” a.k.a.
Commonwealth Avenue?
Mary Ann
Streeter, one irate victim of those “monster” buses
plying the highway, wrote us about her harrowing
experience:
“I came
across your article in my search for the web site of
Newman Goldliner. I had a horrible experience this
morning at around 6 a.m., several hundred meters
approaching Tandang Sora Flyover going past Iglesia ni
Cristo. This bus driver was diving crazy and trying to
get me out of his way despite the fact that the space in
between me and the car in front of me was only one car.
I swear that he was only four feet away from the rear
bumper of my car. Those 60 seconds seemed forever for
me. I was horrified with what the driver did to me.
Worst, I was driving on the left-hand side of the road
about five lanes away from the said bus. I am trying to
call LTFRB to complain. I wonder if we can do something
about this as a group of drivers/residents who use the
Commonwealth area every day.”
The next
day, she wrote again:
“I got
in touch with LTFRB about my complaint. I spoke to a guy
named Ryan at telephone number 925-7191. He said he can
schedule a meeting with the bus operator regarding my
complaint. My voice alone, I think won’t be enough. Is
there a way to flash the number in your column and
encourage everyone to call Ryan of LTFRB and lodge their
complaints? I understand the MMDA hot line alone has
received numerous complaints for reckless driving. Why
don’t you also call Ryan about your complaint? Let’s go
to the LTFRB in full force so we can be heard and make
Commonwealth a safer highway to drive.”
Thank
you very much, Mary Ann, for your letters. Your concern
and those of thousands of motorists traveling that
so-called Death Highway must already have reached the
eyes and ears of the concerned people and government
agencies.
But we
have recent reports that the owners of those various
buses plying the route are “influential people” who can
wrangle their “monster drivers” out of a fix when they
are involved in accidents.
Take the
case of the couple that was mercilessly killed by a bus
while motoring to their office one morning. The driver
was reported to have been “hidden” immediately by the
same police authorities who arrested him.
It was
only after incessant appeals to the authorities by the
bereaved families was the driver “produced.” This is
the kind of justice we have. If the victims are sons or
daughters of business scions or relatives of politicians
or higher ups in the military, it won’t take a minute
for you to see the culprits immediately apprehended and
hauled off to jail.
But if
you are an ordinary citizen who is the victim of an
accident, chances are there will be people knocking on
your door and asking that you withdraw your case in
exchange for a few hundred pesos.
ALTHOUGH
we wake up to cold mornings these days, we are reminded
that it’s summer, because it gets warm and humid as each
day wears on.
Another
sign is that oil industry leader Petron Corp. has
launched its very popular “Lakbay Alalay” program for a
record 22nd year! Yes, this public service is still
being held every summer, helping motorists over the
country.
From
February 24 to March 23, the program offers free minor
car repairs, first aid, emergency phone calls, radiator
water, Treats bottled water, free service checks on tire
pressure, oil and radiator water level, and brakes
inspection.
Motorists who wish to avail themselves of Petron “Lakbay
Alalay” services may visit any of the participating
Petron service stations along the major toll roads.
These include two stations and two base camps on the
North Luzon Expressway, one station and one base camp on
the South Luzon Expressway, one station on the Star
Tollway and two base camps on the Coastal Road.
THERE’S
a new car in town that could “redefine the global
standard in the midsize-car category.”
That’s
what Mazda 6 has been trumpeting after it was unveiled
amid the glitz and pomp late last week at the Blue Leaf
in Forth Bonifacio.
Riding
on the crest of success of its predecessor, the
second-generation Mazda 6 will be trying to surpass the
prestigious awards and accolades the first-generation
car had reaped in the past. Yes, the first-generation
Mazda 6 was named Car of the Year in the past by the Car
Awards Group Inc.
“Now, we
have a new strong entry for this year’s Car of the Year
Award!” exclaimed Mazda’s Nenuka Guba, while she was
with our table partaking the sumptuous dinner they had
prepared that night.
WHAT? A
price slash of half-a-million pesos?
This is
what was written in the e-mail of Volvo’s Loi Concepcion
and it’s true, the newest Volvo XC70, which bagged the
2007 Car of the Year Award from the Car Awards Group
Inc. last year, is now being sold for P500,000 less.
One can
now bring home the AWD 2.5-liter XC70 for a huge
discounted price of P2.695 million with all the comforts
and features that go with it.
“This
All-Wheel Drive cross-country vehicle can take you to
more adventures in style with its plush leather seats
and Scandinavian-designed interiors. Dusk or dawn, north
or south, this is a car for men and women who dare take
the alternative route. It’s versatility and safety
combined with exceptional driving pleasure and comfort.
It’s an all-or-nothing approach to getting you and your
crew anywhere you need to go. Distinctive design and
technology make the Volvo XC70 essential equipment for
any pioneer,” says the notes of Loi, who added that “our
customer service officers are ready to assist you at
Volvo Makati through 893-6621 or 817-1984 or Volvo Cebu
at 032-3463322 to experience the XC70 difference.” |
