Chevrolet Philippines conducts emergency preparedness seminar

CHEVROLET Philippines conducted an emergency preparedness event for some members of the motoring media at about the time that Tropical Storm “Kabayan” was about to make landfall.

The resultant wet weekend didn’t stop both Chevrolet Philippines to conduct the offroading activities it planned as well as the emergency preparedness seminar conducted by safety advocate Martin Aguda.

The storm’s path affected most parts of central Luzon and Metro Manila, which included the venues where the offroading events were staged. Instead of packing up, the weekend’s weather became an opportunity for Chevrolet to show what its vehicles are capable of.

Born ready

Dubbed as “Keep Calm and be Chevy Ready,” Chevrolet Philippines took several units of its Colorado Tracker pickup trucks and Trailblazer 4×4 SUVs for some mud wrestling on the back roads and undeveloped portions of Sun Valley Golf and Residential Estates in Antipolo City.

The hilly terrain and mud trails prepared by the organizers allowed the participants to experience all of the offroading features of these Trailblazer and Colorado models, including traction control, hill descent/ascent, and shift-on-the-fly electronic drive mode select, allowing the vehicle to easily shift from 4×2 to 4×4 low or 4×4 high.

Both vehicles we tested ably negotiated the steep, rough and muddy trails, including a part of the trail that the organizers purposely designed to be very uneven for participants to experience twisted axle which can cause some loss in traction.

Chevrolet’s Traction Control System helps these vehicles navigate rough trails with only three and sometimes even two wheels. Its advanced system detects traction variances with changing road and driving conditions so it can automatically trigger the appropriate brake force or reduce engine torque, or a combination of both to prevent loss of traction.

The organizers showed how the class-leading wading depth capability of both the Colorado and Trailblazer easily traversed the knee-deep waters of a manmade mud pool.

With a high beltline and strategically placed powertrain, both models kept their respective cabins and engine bays secure from the swells of the simulated muddy flood water.

The Trailblazer can handle up to 800 millimeters of wading depth while the Colorado Tracker editions, which had an added 2-inch lift, featured a higher ground clearance—offering a best-in-class 880 mm limit—and a built-in snorkel intake that reduced the risk of water intrusion into the engine.

“With over a century of expertise in the automotive industry, Chevrolet’s diverse product line of topnotch automobiles are built to overcome obstacles, both on and off road,” said  Alberto B. Arcilla, president and managing director of Chevrolet Philippines.

“The Colorado Tracker and Trailblazer continue to win over new customers because of their commendable safety features, versatility and capability. We are proud to offer these models with segment-leading capabilities to the Filipino market,” he added.

Zombie apocalypse scenario

Aguda presented some basic tips on how to be prepared when a disaster like Typhoon “Yolanda” strikes the heart of Metro Manila.

He said the “doomsday” scenarios that we see in Hollywood movies are a grim reminder of what to expect if a supertyphoon would hit a highly populated area like Metro Manila. It is not an exaggeration to expect people acting like “zombies” or the “walking dead” as food and water become scarce. So in a scenario like that, he adds, expect mass hysteria and problems like looting and violence to occur.

It pays to be prepared and have a “R.E.A.D.Y.” mindset. R.E.A.D.Y. stands for: Risk assessments, Emergency preparedness planning, Assemble disaster survival kits, Drills and rehearsals, and, lastly, You’re on your own.

First, it is vital to assess the environment and weigh the risks of staying put in your home or bugging out. The standard rule of thumb is to have enough supplies to last for at least 72 hours after a major disaster since it will take several days for help to reach you.

Having a plan and practicing drills with members of your family and officemates is always good.

Designate an out-of-town contact who is unlikely to be affected when such a disaster strikes. And always have backup copies of important documents like passports, licenses, etc.

Make your home safe and set up meeting points with members of the household. Disaster may not strike when all the members are home.

Prepare basic supplies like water, ready-to-eat dried or canned food, first-aid kits, extra cash and survival tools like pocket knives and flashlights. It is also important to carry a whistle around to be able to call for help.

Always remember, survival is 90-percent mental, as revealed by studies of real-life stories about people surviving disasters against insurmountable odds.

For more information about emergency preparedness, visit https://preparemanila.org/prepare.