Transport Groups All for NCAP

A number of transport groups in Metro Manila have come out in support of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP). 

One of them is the Taguig transport group, headed by Mr. Ricardo Alde, president of FTI Taguig transport group, which consists of jeepney and bus drivers whose members are more than 100, as well Councilor Nicky Supan, committee leader of Taguig transportation sector.

During the grand opening of WALI second hand cars and auto supply in Panam Village, Taguig City, Councilor Supan reiterated the importance of the lifting of the TRO of NCAP. 

“I am proud to say that Taguig is one with the Metro Manila Council in implementing the NCAP. We are one of the first cities to sign and support NCAP because of the benefits it will give to our drivers, which will in turn have a positive effect to the traffic situations as well as the passengers” said Supan. “NCAP is a great deterrent for erring motorists. Ff you are a disciplined driver, like what we are advocating here in the city of Taguig, there is no reason for you to worry” added Supan. 

Together with Councilor Supan who voiced out their approval of NCAP are those present during the event that include Enrico Caluen, president of Guadalupe – FTI Jeepney Drivers Association, Conrad Synshioco, LTFRB Liason Officer, Epe Lepasana, Mobility Officer, Sonny Osorio, Chief of Transportation – Taguig and Danilo Canabiral, Chief of Traffic Management Office – Taguig. 

Since the issuance of the temporary restraining order (TRO), the technical group, in cooperation with the stakeholders, including the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Metro Manila Council, has already improved the implementation of NCAP. Transportation groups have supported NCAP since day one said that it is a fair, impartial way to enforce traffic laws, as it does not rely on the discretion of traffic enforcers. During the time that it was implemented, studies show that NCAP has helped reduced traffic congestion and improve road safety. 

Another group, the transport advocacy group The Passenger Forum (TPF) has been an ardent supporter of NCAP. 

According to TPF Convener Primo Morillo, “We think NCAP is a first step towards making our roads more friendly towards pedestrians, commuters, and even bicycle riders. In our view, traffic rules are here to protect people and make motorists more responsible. NCAP is a good start for us to move towards the right direction” said Morillo. 

Morillo explained that NCAP not only promotes road safety and motorist discipline, it also removes the discretion of traffic enforcers in apprehending drivers who violate traffic laws.

Another important transport group that supports NCAP is the Motorcycle Rights Organization of the Philippines (MROP). In a statement, the MROP said that the NCAP is a “necessary step” to improve road safety to have added protection for motorcyclists. MROP acknowledge that before the TRO, NCAP has helped reduce the number of motorcycle-related accidents. 

If the NCAP will be implemented in the coming months, this will be a welcome development for all motorists and stakeholders with Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announcing the use of body-worn cameras while apprehending traffic violators. MMDA Chairman Artes strongly believes that this will be the perfect combination to prevent incidents of bribery and extortion.

 

MCCI’s Bakery World 2023 to help grow small, medium-sized bakery businesses

New products and technology for the bakery business take center stage in the upcoming 2023 Bakery World exhibition set on September 14 to 16, 2023 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino Cebu City.

Start-up bakery businesses have the potential to grow through innovation and technology. This is the goal of the Bakery World 2023, an event organized by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).

MCCI President Kelie Ko, chair of the Bakery World exhibit, said the exhibit aims to enable bakeries and café owners, especially the small and medium, to level up.

“We’re going to see a lot of bakery and café related suppliers, from ingredients to equipment and a little bit of packaging. They will see different ways of using products, and come up with new products. We will also have food photography sessions,” Mr. Ko said.

He explained the importance of taking good product photos. “It’s a digital age. We want them to put up good pictures so they can sell their products. 

MCCI past president Stanley Go recalls that the chamber decided to organize the first Bakery World Exhibition in 2018, during his term as chamber president. The Bakery World exhibition is part of MCCI's efforts to provide business opportunities to various stakeholders in the baking and food industry in the Visayas and Mindanao. The goal was to help home-based bakers grow their businesses. 

The theme for this year’s Bakery World is “Learn. Innovate. Grow.” Participants will see and learn the latest technologies, innovations, and trends in the baking industry. This will help entrepreneurs improve their products and services and be more competitive as well as open more markets for their products. 

 “With Bakery World we can bring in ways to help these small bakers. By giving them access to ingredients and equipment they can use, such as a mixer, they can increase productivity, improve the product quality, and even create new innovations,” Mr. Go explains.

He added that in the past, bakery exhibitions were always held in Manila. By holding the Bakery World in Cebu, MCCI can help bakers not only in Cebu but also those based in other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

Mr. Ko said that the chamber is inviting owners of bakery businesses and cafés to come so they could see what the exhibit could offer. “They could come up with new products, and for would-be investors to start their own business. There’s a market for bakery products in Cebu island alone,” he said.

 

Bakery World 2023 will also feature international and local chefs who will conduct seminars and share their expertise. All those interested can attend the seminars for free.

On the opening day, the exhibit will also feature competitions on Wedding Cake Decoration, the Love Philippines cake decoration featuring the country’s tourist attractions, and Bread Art Showpiece.

The prizes for each category is P100,000 for the first prize, P60,000 for the second prize, and P30,000 for the third prize. This competition aims to encourage creativity, adding that anyone can join the competition.

The first Bakery World exhibition, held at the then JCenter Mall in Mandaue City, had 57 exhibitors with 113 booths that featured leading brands in the baking and food industry. Over 5,000 visitors attended the 2018 exhibit.