Mitsubishi milestone
We’d like to congratulate Mitsubishi Motors Philippines on the occasion of its 60th anniversary of manufacturing and distributing automobiles in the country.
Mitsubishi has the distinction of having never left the country since it began local operations 60 years ago.
No less than Mitsubishi Motors Corporation president and CEO Takao Kato was in town to celebrate the milestone and the brand’s steadfast support for the local automotive industry and its loyal customers.
Takao Kato touted this distinction, saying: “I’m very happy to celebrate MMPC’s 60th anniversary as well as witness its strong performance, as MMPC has been one of the biggest automobile brands in the Philippines.
“I am also pleased and proud that Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation is the only car manufacturer which has never left the country since its founding, even during the economic crisis and contributed to the economic development of the country for over 60 years.”
It is also heartening to hear Mitsubishi Motor’s top honcho’s assurance that Mitsubishi remains committed to maintain its presence in the country, especially in the local manufacture of vehicles.
Says Takao Kato: “The Philippine has been and will be one of the most important markets for Mitsubishi Motors. Through our manufacturing and sales operations, we will continue to contribute to transfer of technology, human resources development, and creation of jobs in the country.”
Also during the 60th anniversary celebration, MMPC president and CEO Takeshi Hara added his voice to Mitsubishi’s commitment to provide great vehicles and after sales services to loyal clientele.
Says Takeshi Hara: “We have successfully introduced and launched different vehicle model line-up. With our attractive models, we are continuously satisfying our valued customers and living up to our slogan ‘Life Made Better for Filipinos’.”
Throughout the 60 years, in good and bad times, the Mitsubishi continued to grow its network of dealerships, nurtured and supported suppliers, and evolved as a brand in providing mobility for the Filipinos.
And over the years, Mitsubishi rolled out vehicles that appealed to Filipinos, from the Lancer and Pajero to the iconic L300, Space Wagon and the Adventure.
These days, Mitsubishi offers to trendy and class leading vehicles like the Mirage, Mirage G4, Strada, Xpander, Montero Sport, and Outlander PHEV.
LAST TRIP
Again transportation authorities are moving to finally rid the streets of aging public utility jeepneys.
This time the move comes in the form of a memorandum circular that will in essence ban individual operators of traditional jeepneys.
Under LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2023-013, individual operators may continue to operate by virtue of a provisional authority, which is automatically extended until 30 June 2023 but only if they join an existing consolidated entity, which can be either a cooperative or corporation.
“Only those individual operators who are able to join an existing consolidated entity on or before 30 June 2023 shall be allowed to have their PA extended until 31 December 2023,” the circular said.
According to the LTFRB, the franchises of individual operators who fail to join a consolidated entity after June 30, 2023 shall be reverted to the State.
The LTFRB is continuing to push operators of traditional jeepneys to join cooperatives and participate in the government PUV modernization program.
However, jeepney operators and transport group continue to complain about the high cost of acquiring modern jeepneys even with all the fiscal and other incentives under the modernization program.
They are calling for a review of the program in consultation with transport groups.
PNR TIDINGS
There’s bad news for commuters who depend on PNR train services from Calamba to Alabang as well from Governor Pascual in Malabon to Calamba.
The Department of Transportation has announced that the Philippine National Rail plans to suspend services to speed up construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR).
The Malabon to Calamba service will stop by May, the Alabang-Calamba service by October.
The DOTr says the stoppage will also expedite the construction of the NSCR by eight months and save at least P15.18B in savings.
It says the savings will come from faster acquisition of land, relocation of utilities, as well as laying down of tracks and posts for the new railway.
The DOTr says it is working with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to provide alternative transportation for commuters affected by the stoppage of PNR train services.
Options include issuing special franchises for buses that will ply route passing stations serviced by the PNR. Happy Motoring!!! For comments & inquiries, email sunshine.television@yahoo.com or visit www.motoringtoday.ph.