I SUPPORT the recent “noise” made by Romulo B. Macalintal, requesting the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to implement the law granting 20-percent toll discount to senior citizens (SCs) and persons with disability (PWDs) on skyways and expressways all the over the land.
The good lawyer has concretized his request through a letter he sent on September 28 to and received on the same day by DOTr Secretary and TRB Chairman Arthur P. Tugade.
Earlier, Tugade ordered that all toll booths of skyways and expressways be equipped with gadgets compliant with radio frequency identification (RFID) platforms by November 2 this year.
It is a move to further reduce chances of virus spread via contactless procedures.
Citing provisions of the law on SCs and PWDs, Macalintal urged Tugade to “immediately” issue the corresponding circulars and directives to “all toll operators in the country as mandated by law” for the implementation of the 20-percent discount.
Macalintal said that Section 6.6, Rule 4 of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 9442, provides that PWDs shall be entitled to “at least 20-percent discount on toll fees of skyways and expressways” provided the vehicle is registered in their names as owners thereof.
“The senior citizens are similarly situated with the PWDs,” said Macalintal. “Article 7 of the IRR provides that the SCs are entitled to 20-percent discount on public land transportation.”
Said Macalintal: “It is pursuant to the important role of the private sector in the improvement and welfare of seniors and to actively seek their partnership. The toll operators will not be greatly affected financially by the grant of the said discount since only a fraction of these sectors have vehicles registered in their names. Toll operators may also claim the discount as ‘tax deduction’ as provided for by law.”
He suggested that the discount be deducted from the total amount of RFID load or be added to the load he is credited with.
Macalintal is just being consistent. He’s been known nationally—if not internationally—as championing the cause of our senior citizens for so long a time now. Too bad he lost in the last senatorial elections. But he remains undaunted. Always fierce in his advocacies. He ought to be backed up.
I’m sure Tugade will seriously look into the matter. He is a reasonable man. I should know. We’ve been golf buddies for so long. A true gentleman of the first order. So that if he should relent in no time, no surprise there.
More face masks from TMP
TOYOTA Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) has donated yet again 5,000 face masks to further deter the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The beneficiaries include Pulong Santa Cruz Barangay Hall, Pulong Santa Cruz Elementary School, and Toyota-City of Santa Rosa-Gawad Kalinga Village in Laguna; and, in Lian Fisherfolk Association in Batangas.
TMP’s production of face masks began in May, two months after the advent of the coronavirus, through the globally renowned Toyota Production System (TPS) that also triggered the local manufacture of the Vios and Innova, Toyota’s now-renowned best-selling sedan and family van, respectively.
Toyota’s project team began its face mask production while members were housed inside TMP’s lodging facilities in Santa Rosa City, Laguna during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
When Laguna was put under the more lenient general community quarantine (GCQ) status in June, TMP ramped-up its face mask production with around 100 team members assigned in eight sewing lines running efficiently on two shifts. Through TPS, the team successfully increased production according to volume requirements, while achieving efficiency and quality targets.
Soon after, TMP President Atsuhiro Okamoto tossed in more safety protocols, saying: “Wear a mask as soon as you step out of the house. It is the law, not an option. Let us protect our workplace and fellow Team Members as we would protect our own home and loved ones.”
Today, TMP has made it a “new normal” to undertake and provide face mask distribution to Toyota dealers, GT Capital Holdings subsidiaries, government agencies and various local communities.
Anywhere, anytime, a kind heart beats.
PEE STOP Honda will commemorate its 30th year on October 8 by launching its book, Celebrating 30 Joyful Years of Honda’s Automotive Journey in the Philippines.… And the following day, October 9, Toyota will hold the E-Awards of the super successful GR Supra GT Cup Asia races. Cheers!