FOR once, the government has knocked some sense into its head. It not only gave due recognition to the crucial role Uber could play for Metro residents but also our brothers in the whole world in the long haul. Thus, in a concrete move, the Department of Transportation and Communications has started to set policies to pave the way for Uber’s acceptance.
“People prefer to use these tech-based transport services because they are convenient,” Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio A. Abaya said.
What is Uber again?
It is a rent-a-car scheme anchored on safety, reliability and efficiency—three traits that are, sadly, lacking in the taxi business for years, if not decades, now.
One can avail himself or herself of the Uber way, which started in New York City if I’m not mistaken, through an Internet app, the photo of the car driver appearing in your cell phone or a gadget faithful to the app plus the vehicle’s plate number, ensuring a 99.99-percent safety mode for the passenger. Within minutes or so, the Uber service will arrive to pick you up and bring you to your destination. It is a cashless deal because you pay through credit card via Internet. Tipping is discouraged and the client is encouraged to rate the driver. The best part is, Uber vehicles are almost brand-new and of latest models, as vehicles three years old and above are being considered junk and nearly absolutely discouraged. To be blunt, taxis are no match against the Uber business.
“It’s that simple,” Abaya said. “So, my advice to taxi operators: Modernize, innovate and improve your systems and services.”
And, if I may add: If our taxi operators do not move quickly enough, they might be out of business in no time.
There is only one chink in Uber’s armor: They don’t pay taxes as they are still mainly unregistered with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. N’yet. But that is just a minor thing as Uber proponents are more than willing anyway to abide by the law. So that in no time, that kink will be fixed. And the key is government intervention because, as always, any innovation for the welfare of the public deserves fast action from the government. So, let’s bring it on, Secretary Abaya?
Calax rebid in 2015
CHEERS to President Aquino for deciding to rebid the 45-kilometer Cavite Laguna Expressway (Calax), electing to be controversial than popular if only “to get the best deal for our people.” A San Miguel Corp. (SMC) arm was disqualified on a technicality and Ayala Corp.-Aboitiz Equity Ventures was declared the winner. SMC was four days short of the required 180 days on submission of its bid security through no fault of the giant conglomerate. The Department of Public Works and Highways rejected the clarification of Australia’s ANZ Bank on the four-day shortfall prior to the disqualification. But when SMC’s bid was opened, it was higher by P8.4 billion over that of Ayala-Aboitiz’s P11.66-billion bid. After months of deliberation, Mr. Aquino declared a rebidding middle of 2015. I gathered that Ayala-Aboitiz wasn’t too keen on joining the rebidding but not SMC, as SMC President Ramon S. Ang had earlier said his Optimal Infrastructure Development would rebid. Just right as SMC had appealed the DPWH’s decision disqualifying RSA’s group.
What can I say? A victory on the side of the right is a victory for the people—P-Noy’s boss.
$600-M incentive for car investors
THE good news is, car investors may yet receive $600 million in incentives. The bad news is, that may happen in 2016 yet—that is, if the national budget of 2016 would allow such incentives to be inserted into it. And, if ever the incentive scheme is finally approved two years from now or even earlier, local vehicle assemblers can start to export completely built-up units six years after the program’s implementation through the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program. The $600-million fund has been envisioned to be allocated under the General Appropriations of 2016. It should have been already tabled for the now-approved 2015 but, sadly (again?), but the CARS Program is yet to be signed as an executive order by Mr. Aquino. And, once signed, it comes into effect only in 2016. Six years after the 2016 CARS Program has been made in place, the Philippines, now selling an average 250,000 units a year, should have already reached a 500,000-unit vehicle market in 2022. By that time, massive production could spur exports for completely built-up going toward 2025.
Always, it is nice to think positive, to dream big.
Pee stop. Toyota is again the hole-in-one sponsor in the ongoing 65th San Miguel Fil-Am Golf Invitational at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay ending on December 6.
Again, with the tournament’s roster of more than 1,000 entries, the Fil-Am, robustly supported by SMC for the second straight year, continues to bask in the glory of once being listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s biggest golf tournament, participants-wise. Cheers!