The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
If he is not traveling on air on his private jet, chances are you can see Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis Chavit Singson riding his armored-van “BMW” most of these days.
It was his ride when he guested last Monday (April 18) during the “Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel” at the Manila Hotel. What he used then was the Inkas Civilian Sentry 2020 from which the locally-made “BMW” which he uses alternately.
During the one-on-one with moderator Julie Yap-Daza (who is also the vice chair of the Samahang Plaridel), Mayor Singson said that the spruced-up armored van was his favorite ride these days in zipping from one place to another.
He also divulged that the “BMW” sticker in it doesn’t stand for the famous car brand. “Ang ibig sabihin nun ay Baluarte Motor Works. Ipinagmamalaki ko na kaya nating gumawa ng ganung klaseng armored car at half-the-price of a brand-new foreign brand,” Mayor Singson said. He was ferring to the much pricier one that he had purchased and showed to the public last December 2019 – the Inkas Civilian Sentry 2020.
The Inkas Civilian Sentry 2020 is being billed as a multi-purpose vehicle designed to serve in extreme climate conditions. It also provides a high level of protection and comfort to its passengers in almost any climate conditions thanks to its extra layer of cabin insulation and smart ventilation system.
Mayor Singson also disclosed that he had already donated two of its kind to the military. He also reportedly loaned one to Vice Presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio for her use in various sorties in the provinces.
The Mayor did not disclose its price. But bulletproofing a car usually costs between $20,000 to $50,000 but can sometimes cost even more. The price is largely based on the size of the car or van. Each panel of bulletproof material alone costs $1,500.
According to its online site, Baluarte Motor Works, which has its main office in Ilocos Sur but has a satellite office in Pasig City, is a vehicle custom and armoring solutions company. Mayor Singson is the owner of the renowned Baluarte in Ilocos Sur, an 80-hectare interactive wildlife sanctuary that has become one of the favorite tourist spots in the country.
With the growing demand and popularity of movie and law enforcement inspired luxury armored vehicles, BMW is now “making high-quality and imported ballistic glass and steels manufactured by top military suppliers and producers worldwide.”
Their Fortress-1 is said to withstand assault rifles including AK-47 and grenade blasts and can deliver protection in any terrain thanks to its 4 x 4 capability and powered by a V8 turbo diesel engine. It also has a night vision capability for its driver.
And to provide comfort to its passengers, it has the calm interior design and entertainment system onboard for a relaxing ride.
In 2017, Mayor Singson personally headed a Philippine delegation to China in order to secure the exclusive distributorship of GAC Motor Co. Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd.
“Isa sa pinakamalaking car manufacturers sa China at world-class din naman ang kanilang produkto kaya sila ang pinili kong kunin para dito sa atin,” he added.
He was truly impressed with the quality and workmanship of GAC Motor that’s why in 2018, the GAC Motor brand was officially launched in the Philippines under the exclusive distributorship of Legado Motors Inc., a wholly-owned Filipino corporation established in 2017.
Among its lineup of vehicles include the: compact sedan GA4, subcompact crossover GS3, compact SUV GS4, midsize SUV GS8, MPV GN6, and the minivan GN8.