By el Amigo

MANILA — This explains why traffic in Metro Manila is so bad.

The bustling streets of Manila find an explanation in the remarkable surge of local vehicle sales, as the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) announced that 2023 sales reached an impressive 429,807 units, surpassing the targeted 423,000 units for the year.

In their joint report, CAMPI and TMA disclosed a robust 21.9 percent growth in vehicle sales in 2023 compared to the previous year, totaling 352,596 units in 2022. Both passenger car and commercial vehicle segments experienced over a 20 percent increase for the full year.

Passenger car sales soared to 109,264 units in 2023, marking a substantial 27.2 percent increase from the 85,897 units sold in 2022. Meanwhile, commercial vehicle sales grew by 20.2 percent, reaching 320,543 units in 2023 from 266,699 vehicles in the previous year.

CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez expressed enthusiasm about the industry’s performance, stating, “2023 was a very strong year for the industry, and we are very excited about 2024. Positive economic outlook, new model introductions, and the electrification trend are expected to contribute to record-breaking sales this year.”

For December 2023 alone, local vehicle sales saw a 5.1 percent increase, reaching 39,153 units compared to the 37,259 units sold in the preceding 12 months.

Leading the Philippine automotive market in 2023 was Toyota, securing a substantial 46.5 percent market share, followed by Mitsubishi at 18.2 percent, Ford at 7.3 percent, Nissan at 6.3 percent, and Suzuki at 4.3 percent.

The industry’s surpassing of the 2023 target and the positive outlook for 2024 highlight the resilience and growth potential of the Philippine automotive sector in the face of evolving market dynamics.

(MNM)

Ni Liza Soriano

MANILA — Iimbestigahan ng Senado ang mga plano at programa ng Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)  upang maresolba ang patuloy na pagsisikip ng daloy ng trapiko sa Metro Manila at mga karatig-lalawigan.

Sa Senate Resolution 859 na inihain ni Senate Majority leader Joel Villanueva, inaatasan ang kaukulang komite sa Senado na magsagawa ng imbestigasyon “in aid of legislation” para alamin ang mga plano at programa ng MMDA para malutas ang matinding daloy ng trapiko.

Base sa datos ng Asian Development Outlook 2019, lumalabas na ang Metro Manila ang pinaka-congested city sa may 278 siyudad mula sa 25 developing Asian countries at kailangan ding maglaan ang mga driver dito ng halos 100% oras kapag bumibiyahe tuwing peak hours.

Nakasaad pa sa resolusyon ni Villanueva na ang matinding pagsisikip ng daloy ng trapiko ay may matinding epekto sa personal, social, environmental at sa ekonomiya, gayundin sa kalusugan ng mga commuter.

Lumalabas din sa pag-aaral ng World Health Organization (WHO), na ang traffic congestion ay may masamang epekto sa kalusugan ng mga commuter at nakapagpapataas ng lebel ng fatigue at anxiety  at nagdudulot din ng hirap sa pakikipagkomunikasyon at pagtulog.

Ang usok din umano na inilalabas ng mga sasakayan ay nagdudulot ng polusyon tulad ng carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Nauna nang nagbabala ang MMDA sa commuters ng 10% hanggang 20% na increase sa traffic volume o aabot sa 417,000 hanggang 430,000 sasakyan ang dadaan sa EDSA kada araw dahil sa holiday season.

Dahil dito, iginiit ni Villnaueva na dapat nang repasuhin ang mga polisiya, programa at plano ng MMDA, Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) at iba pang ahensiya ng gobyerno para maibsan ang mabigat na daloy ng trapiko sa Pilipinas.

(ai/mnm)

In a delightful twist to the monotony of traffic congestion, the renowned Dancing Traffic Cop, Ramiro Hinojas, dons a Santa Claus costume and brings his lively dance routine to the streets of Pasay City. Commuters stuck along Macapagal Ave. were treated to a unique performance on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

Known for his commitment to entertaining motorists, Hinojas seamlessly blends traffic management with impressive dance moves, regardless of weather. Whether it’s rain or shine, he ensures that drivers experience a moment of joy amid the daily grind, all while expertly directing traffic with animated hand signals.

Reflecting on his role, the Dancing Cop shared, “I know that rush hour can make a driver go crazy, but it gives me joy, and the motorists as well.”

(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)