Fuel Prices Drive Up Fleet Operating Costs

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Fuel prices, mainly diesel and gasoline, have been on the rise over the past several
months of 2019. They have been a major factor that contributes to high fleet
operating costs. This is because fuel costs comprise the biggest portion of fleet
operating expenses.


Factors causing the rise in fuel prices

So, what factors have been making the fuel costs rise? Well, the increase in fuel
prices has been a result of several factors including high customer demand,
sanctions, market uncertainty, and year-over-year reduction in oil inventories.

Another factor that has caused fuel prices to increase in some regions are natural
disasters like hurricanes. For example, fuel consumption went up due to Hurricane
Florence during September 2018, which resulted in catastrophic damage in the
Carolinas. The fleets that were going to help in the recovery mission consumed more
fuel than the expected amounts during the month.

Increases in fuel card fraud, which started to become prominent in 2016, is another
factor that has put upward pressure on fuel prices. Fuel card skimming has become
rampant, especially at fuel stations, and the best way to cope with it is to do
everything possible to prevent it from happening in the first place. Fleet
managements need to stay alert and educate their drivers so that they know of the possible risks and vulnerabilities.

Keeping constant vigilance for anomalies relating to cards is another way to deal with the menace since there is no fail-proof strategy yet to entirely avert fraud, which makes fleets lose millions every year.

Fuel prices influence vehicle selection
As earlier stated, fuel spending accounts for one of the biggest expenses for running
a fleet. As such, a vehicle‘s Miles Per Gallon (mpg) is one of the most critical
considerations in the vehicle selection process. Statistics show that fuel prices have an impact on vehicle acquisition decisions. The market for both new and used vehicles tend to register a reaction and fluctuation in fuel prices. With lower fuel
prices, buyers may consider larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles.

However, the converse is not happening in recent times, and this could be attributed to the fact that the rise in prices has been gradual.


Adoption of alternative fuel options and reducing miles driven

With fuel prices still on an upward trend, it is expected that more fleet managements
will think about alternative fuel options and put more emphasis on cutting down the total miles driven. The success of these strategies will depend on vehicle utilization
analysis, which relies on telematics data and vehicle inventory management.

Speaking of telematics and fleet inventory management, fleet operators can count on
Eyeride experts to help install various devices onto their cars as well as systems like 360-degree cameras, GPS tracking systems, and most importantly, e-logs that can help to monitor drivers’ compliance with various rules and laws.

Conclusion

Fleet managers are looking at possible strategies to reduce fuel consumption as the
prices are expected to continue increasing. Strategies that managers are adopting
include acquiring hybrid and battery-electric vehicles. In addition, as corporate
leaders think about environmental sustainability initiatives, they are encouraging focusing more on acquiring smaller displacement and fuel-efficient engines because fuel efficiency means fewer emissions.

4 Reasons Why the Philippines Is the Most Underrated Travel Destination in Southeast Asia

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Asia is a big hit with tourists. Every kind of traveler can find something they’d love in this huge continent. Southeast Asia, in particular, has a plethora of beautiful beaches, delicious food, and rich ecosystems filled with unique flora and fauna. It’s certainly an appealing travel destination, with hidden gems just waiting to be explored.

Most first-time travelers in Southeast Asia would choose countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, or Vietnam, but it’s also worth considering the Philippines. This archipelago, composed of more than 7,600 islands, is located in the West Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by water, the country has the world’s fifth longest coastline of 36,289 kilometers (22,549 miles). As such, the Philippines has plenty of gorgeous beaches and island destination, including Boracay, Cebu, and Palawan.

However, the Philippines is more than just about beaches and island hopping. In fact, when you look beyond the sparkling waters, you’ll realize that the country is one of Southeast Asia’s more underrated destinations. If you need some more convincing, here are a few reasons to visit the Philippines.

Cheap but Accessible Hotels

If you’re the kind of traveler who doesn’t need five-star accommodations but needs to be in the center of the action, you’re in luck. There are a lot of clean, comfortable, and affordable hotels in and around Metro Manila, and even in the farther provinces. In fact, if you’re planning to stay in Metro Manila and explore the city, you can find plenty of hotels near NAIA Terminal 2, which is where many international flights land. Filipinos are also arguably the most hospitable people in the world, so no matter how small the hotel, you can expect a warm welcome and good service.

Historical and Natural Wonders

The Philippines has a rich history, being a country of mix of native Philippine, Asian, Spanish, and American heritages. In almost every province, you’ll find historical sites and landmarks that have borne witness to the various events that shaped the Philippines’ current cultural landscape. The Philippines is also home to hundreds of indigenous peoples who have been living in the islands even before the Spanish set foot in 1521. Many of them occupy their original ancestral lands, which, in themselves, have become tourist destinations. Just remember to be respectful of the various traditions and local laws when you visit these places.

The Philippines is also a gem if you’re a nature lover. While its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it prone to typhoons and earthquakes, it’s also the reason why the country has a rich biodiversity and varied and abundant natural resources. Lush forests, marine sanctuaries, mountains and rivers, rock formations and cave networks, you can find almost everything in the Philippines. If you want a slice of paradise, visit Batanes in the northernmost part of the country. Filled with sprawling fields of green, stunning beaches, and awe-inspiring views from the hilltops, Batanes is also home to traditional villages and age-old cultures. It’s quite tricky to get to, but once you’re there, you’ll realize that the effort is truly worth it.

Food, Food, Food
Filipino cuisine is as diverse as the nation’s hundreds of ethnic groups, further flavored by the influences of both Western and Asian spheres. Dish complexity range from very simple (fried salted fish) to the intricate (kare-kare and variations of adobo). Regional specialties are common, as are unique delicacies that might make some weaker stomachs turn (balut, anyone?). Many Filipino foods are also cooked with soups like sinigang and bulalo, or with sauces like menudo or pochero.

Going to the Philippines means experiencing this wide variety of dishes. Go beyond adobo, the unofficial national dish. Take a bite of dinuguan, dinakdakan, pinakbet, laing, various pancits (noodles), chicharron, chicken inasal, lechon, estofado, sambal, and many, many, many more. You also have a wide selection of kakanins (desserts and pastries made from sticky rice) and unique desserts like halo-halo, leche flan, buko salad, and “dirty” ice cream or sorbetes. What’s great is that whenever you visit the Philippines, you’re sure to find yet another version of these dishes and desserts for a whole new experience.

English is Common

If you’re an English-speaker, you don’t have to worry about language barriers. A huge majority of Filipinos speak and understand the language. This might not be a deal-breaker for most, but it can certainly make your life easier. From asking for directions to ordering in restaurants, knowing that you’ll be understood can help take a load off your shoulders and help you enjoy your vacation even more.

Of course, reading all about the destination is a lot different than actually going there. So the next time you get some time off, book a flight to Southeast Asia and visit the Philippines. Once you’ve been there, you’ll probably ask yourself why you haven’t gone before or visited more often.

DFA Accepts Postal ID Starting Aug. 01, to Use Online ID Verification System

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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), represented by Office of Consular Affairs Asst. Secretary Neil Frank R. Ferrer and Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), represented by Asst. Postmaster General for Marketing & Support Services Luis D. Carlos, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will provide DFA access to the Postal ID Online Verification System (POVS).

The DFA will start accepting PHLPost’s Postal ID as a recognized ID for passport applications on 1 August 2019.

DFA will utilize POVS, a web-based application developed by PHLPost, to verify the authenticity of the Postal ID card presented by a cardholder. POVS is expected to address concerns on the integrity of the card being presented, issues concerning counterfeit cards and the manner of seamlessly verifying and authenticating Postal ID cards.

PHLPost expressed its appreciation to the DFA for including the PHLPost ID in the list of acceptable IDs for passport applications as well as its interest in utilizing POVS for verifying PhlPost IDs.