Given the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the Filipino workforce, Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for the promotion, importation and restoration of vintage cars and motorcycles in the country.
Gatchalian, in filing Senate Bill No. 2396 or the proposed “Vintage Vehicle Regulation Act,” expressed belief that vintage car restoration can spur economic activity in the micro, small and medium enterprises and serve a niche market here and abroad.
“As the world is beset by the pandemic and threatened by recession, it is the right time for us to explore the economic opportunity of growing this industry, to create jobs for our skilled Filipino mechanics, tinsmiths, craftsmen, painters, laborers, shop owners, and to support small and medium-sized businesses, while at the same time preserving the country’s heritage in its motoring history,” the veteran legislator said.
“Ang bansa natin kilala sa magaling na craftsmen o magaling sa paggawa ng sasakyan, ng mga vintage cars.”
“Ito’y isang very specialized industry na hindi alam ng marami, pero ang bansa natin kilala sa magaling na craftsmen o magaling sa paggawa ng sasakyan, ng mga vintage cars. Metikuloso tayo at marunong tayo sa mga ganitong crafting. Maliit na industriya ito pero kahit papano with the proposed law, matutulungan nating maitaguyod ang vintage car restoration,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
The senator said that some notable local car enthusiasts who are into car restoration have found it to be a lucrative business.
It also earned them numerous recognitions and awards in major auto competitions.
“The capability of small and medium enterprises and the quality of human resource in the automotive restoration business in the country can make the local industry competitive even in the international markets,” he emphasized.
The measure will cover all aspects of the regulation of the importation and exportation, registration and use of vintage cars, pick-up trucks, vans, sports utility vehicles, Asian utility vehicles, and motorcycles that are at least 30 years old from the date of manufacture.
Gatchalian said the bill will also establish and strengthen the regulatory policies that encourage the vintage vehicles’ preservation, maintenance, occasional use and registration.
“Maraming vintage car na dito nire-restore at binebenta sa Australia ng times 10 ang presyo.”
“Maraming vintage car na dito nire-restore at binebenta sa Australia ng times 10 ang presyo. Dito mura mag-restore, magagaling pa yung mga nag-re-restore. It’s a small industry that we can help promote because there’s a potential to make it economically viable,” he concluded.
