The MMDA Puzzle

Based on reports that I've been hearing, it appears that the Highway Patrol Group or HPG has been pulled out of its traffic duties along EDSA. The MMDA traffic team will now be handling the traffic situation in the metro, and all I could say is, good luck to all of us.

The MMDA has never been an effective traffic enforcement group since the beginning, and that's mainly because they command no respect, both from motorists and pedestrians. Many bus drivers see them as corrupt; along the stretch of EDSA-Ortigas, conductors will just hand over Php50.00, even Php20.00, to one of these so-called traffic enforcers and the bus can stay for hours along this stretch of EDSA, waiting for their passengers to climb aboard.

Along the ADB and EDSA intersection, car owners will just pass by these enforcers with impunity, crossing the intersection even if they see clearly that the traffic situation before them is heavy. The result is a horrible and messed-up traffic jam, with private vehicles blocking the area, when the enforcer should be citing these car owners for a simple and basic traffic rule violation: to always keep all intersections open.

The HPG, however, is often feared, and that's because they won't hesitate issuing traffic tickets to anyone who violates the rules of the road. I've seen one of them being bribed by one bus driver and he asked bluntly, “are you trying to bribe me? That's a crime”.

Sure, the HPG has been involved in several unfortunate traffic incidents, but hardly anyone will question that their presence on the road commands respect. The traffic situation in Metro Manila remains bad, but it's surely a lot better than before the HPG came in.

If only the MMDA could hold the same level of credibility, then maybe they can be left alone in managing the traffic. Sadly, given the public image that they have, the MMDA still has a long way to go in trying to solve Metro Manila's traffic problem. Until that time comes, the HPG should be brought back on the road.

The 24-Hour Odd-Even Scheme Option

I still say the odd-even scheme can be successful if it gets implemented for a full 24 hours and the people tasked to enforce this ensure that it's followed strictly and without exemptions. The 24-hour scheme is particularly crucial because it would mean those affected will have to keep their vehicles off the streets for one whole day.

Just today, at around 6:15 AM, while aboard a shuttle service, I spotted three private cars with the following plate numbers: NDE 339, WON 109, and ACA 5189 and about two others with numbers that I can't recall anymore. All of them are traversing the stretch of EDSA from Kamuning up to where I got off in the Ortigas area.

Today is a Friday and under the odd-even scheme, vehicles ending in 9 and 0, at least starting at around 7AM, are not supposed to be out on the streets. While the vehicles mentioned are still technically not covered yet by the scheme owing to the time involved, they're bound to be covered eventually as traffic in the area is already heavy. Chances are good that at 7AM or thereabouts, they'll still be in EDSA.

But hey, the good news is that if these vehicles ever get flagged down by a traffic enforcer, they can always say that they're already on EDSA before 7AM and just got caught in heavy traffic. That, of course, is a valid excuse but it's also a safe way to run rings around the law.

Now, imagine if the odd-even scheme is enforced for a full 24 hours; then these car owners will have no excuse to hold on to if a traffic enforcer asks them to pull over.

Then there are the private vehicles that are allowed to travel along major thoroughfares without their plate numbers. Today, at around the same time and along the same route, two private vehicles caught my attention because their back ends were blank. That's right; no plate numbers whatsoever. One is a white L300 and the other is a brand-new black Toyota WIGO.

As I said before in an earlier post, these vehicles should wait until they get hold of their official plate numbers before taking to the streets. Otherwise, they'll just add to the continuously worsening traffic situation in the Metro.

It's just too bad I didn't have my phone with me at the time; if I did, the needed pictures should have accompanied this post.

Hey, MMDA, HPG, LTO, are you reading this? Sadly, I think not.Actually, it' pains me to think that no one hardly follows this blog.

The Odds of Solving Traffic in the Metro

The MMDA odd-even scheme should be enforced for one whole day for all affected vehicles, with no exception. With the way it's currently being implemented only during the rush hour, it's not unusual for car owners to say that they got stuck in traffic prior to being covered by the scheme if a traffic enforcer flags them down. It's a valid reason, yes, but it's also a tricky way of bending the rules.

In exchange, the odd-even scheme should be lifted from public utility vehicles, notably taxis. That way, car owners have the option of hailing a cab during days when they have to leave their precious cars at home. They can even consider making arrangements with taxi operators to have a designated cab for them on days when they can't take their cars out on the streets.

One problem with this MMDA program though is in cases when car owners have two or more cars in their garage. This isn't uncommon, which brings in another interesting aspect about the traffic situation in Mega Manila. There's this growing number of brand-new vehicles plying the major streets and many of them still have to wear official plate numbers. Why they are allowed to do so is mind-boggling. Isn't there a rule, an ordinance, or anything that driving an unlicensed vehicle (not carrying the required plate number) is against the law?

Making things worst is that the drivers of these brand-new vehicles are usually newbies. Since these are new drivers on the road, the tendency is for them to drive slowly and carefully lest they bump into another vehicle and get those ugly scratches on their precious four-wheel possessions.

Now, imagine 10-20 newbie drivers driving ever so slowly down a major thoroughfare at the height of the rush hour. The result is slow-moving traffic and no amount of waving from the MMDA asking these people to drive faster can change their minds. Yes, old cars do move rather slowly, but so are brand-new vehicles when a newbie is behind the wheel.

These drivers should be asked to keep their their driving knowledge along private roads while waiting for the plates to arrive. They can do practice driving around their posh villages and subdivisions so they'll be ready for the road once their plates become available.

Roughly 80 percent of all the vehicles that you'll see in Metro Manila streets are being driven by private individuals. That's not counting riders aboard motorcycles who are also growing in numbers and are also causes of great traffic and serious road accidents because of their penchant for swerving and driving non-stop.

Public vehicles, meanwhile, only account for about 20 percent of road travelers in the urban city. Now, whoever said the Philippines is a poor country probably has not seen the number of people trying to get a car loan. That's one other thing that has worsened urban traffic – this endless drive to continue manufacturing new car models. A moratorium on car production should be considered; otherwise, that house you're living in right now just might have to be turned into a garage or a street extension in the near future.

Ruby: A Tale of Two Women

Dolor is a Spanish word which means pain, grief, or sorrow. Its plural form is dolores, and it is said that a woman bearing such a name is bound for many heartaches. Indeed, in the past week, that is pretty much the feeling or sentiment prevailing among the residents of Dolores, Eastern Samar. The cause for such overwhelming sorrow is another female name, Ruby.

It’s unfortunate that such a lovely and seemingly innocent name could cause this much grief to an entire rural community. The people of Dolores are hardly heard of, especially when it comes to controversial issues. At most, they are quiet but hardworking, typical of people living in the countryside where major political scandals can hardly be discussed given the more serious problem of where to get the next daily meal.

Yet, Ruby has found Dolores to be the perfect albeit unwilling target of her wrath which she has since unleashed in several other largely rural areas. Why she has done so remains unexplained and unacceptable especially for the people who were directly hit by her fury.

For many ungodly hours last week, Dolores and her inhabitants were beyond the reach of human help. The enterprising members of media though have found ways of getting through to them. This allowed the public to get a first-hand glimpse of the kind of destruction that one woman’s wrath can inflict on those who dare stand in her path.

These days, Dolores continues to grope through the pile of debris that Ruby has left for her.  Damage all across the town can easily reach hundreds of thousands even as the more painful process is dealing with the loss of innocent lives.

Ruby has already left, surprisingly showing significant weakness after dumping all her raging anger on the hapless Dolores. There is simply no place for sorrow during this most joyous season of the year; unfortunately, Ruby found it fitting for Dolores to live up to her name.

The Ghost of Bonifacio

Yesterday, the nation commemorated the 151^st birth anniversary of Katipunan founder Andres Bonifacio. As has always been the tradition, controversy reared its ugly head again as we pay tribute to one of the Philippines’ original heroes.

As the actual manner in which he died remains shrouded in mystery, still another issue has come out regarding Bonifacio. This time, his actual birth place is being debated upon. Many prominent and esteemed historians tell us that the Great Plebeian was born in Tondo, in a street that is now home to Tutuban Station. This is the reason a statue of Bonifacio was erected in the area.

Unfortunately, just like many other things about Bonifacio, this information about his birth place is turning out to be nothing but a big lie. Even more unfortunate is the fact that the government itself, courtesy of the National Historical Institute, now referred to as the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, has allowed itself to be part of this continued distortion of historical facts.

A recent news article that appeared in Inquirer.net entitled “Andres Bonifacio: A monument of lies”, showed that Binondo, and not Tondo, was the birthplace of the Katipunan founder. This fact is contained in “Andres Bonifacio y El Katipunan”, the first biography of Bonifacio written by Manuel Artigas which came out in 1911.

How and why this mistake was committed remains unexplained, but what is more troubling is the fact that prominent and respected figures were the ones who committed them. Even sadder is the fact that owning up to the mistake has not been made to date.

Should it come as a surprise then why a growing number of Filipinos have come to view national leaders as a bunch of 4)@$##u @$$313@@!!@!!!?

One reason why the Philippines remains a poor country is because we have yet to learn from history. The case of Marcos is a glowing example.

The adage “those who refuse to learn from the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it” might eventually hold true in our case….unless our leaders make the needed correction.

Family Distrust

The sense of family distrust is uncommon, but it does exist.

A few days ago, options for my cancer-stricken mother were discussed during a serious family meeting as the possibility of an operation was highly likely. An option that was considered is the possible sale of the ancestral home where the family is currently living in.

This was what my mother previously wanted, a desire which my sister-in-law communicated to me and my wife, saying the idea was good as there will be money to finance my mother’s possible operation. The remaining proceeds can then be equally divided between me and my brother as per the explanation of my sister-in-law; an idea that we nodded in agreement, but adding that the final decision remains with my mother. Little did I know that hiding behind this issue is family distrust.

A week before the meeting, my brother-in-law who flew in from the US along with my elder sister, suddenly asked me why I was seeking my share of the possible sale of the ancestral house, an act which I strongly denied doing. My mother asked me the same question the next day during a separate talk where I could sense an air of family distrust in her tone. Nevertheless, I denied the accusation, adding that it was my sister-in-law who opened the topic about proceeds from the possible sale.

During the meeting, which my sister requested, she asked me the same question. I and my wife stood by my original reply despite the air of family distrust hanging above my head. Ultimately, though, my sister-in-law admitted that she initially brought up the issue but clarified that it was innocent talk.

Despite the clarification, the meeting continued and soon became a family trial with me and my wife standing as the accused. Various actions that we were doing were brought up, with my sister pointing out that these were not benefitting our children. I will not go into the details of these supposedly non-beneficial actions; suffice to say that ever since I was a kid, there has always been this awkward family distrust towards me.

The problem with my family is that ever since I can remember, I was hardly listened to. Given my physical condition (I was a polio victim), they have this preconceived notion that my views were not worth considering or at most filled with flaws.

As I grew up, I learned to keep things to myself and would often shut out any idea slowly developing in my mind. I have come to accept, with great disappointment, that no one in his right mind would ever look into its possible merits, assuming there was any.

It has often been said that when push comes to shove, you can always turn to your family. My family has proven to be different. I grew up in an environment where you are solely responsible for everything that you do. When problems crop up, you are expected to find the solution yourself.

Under this set-up, I have learned to be independent in many things, even in doing hard and difficult school assignments. Seldom do I ask for help from my family as I will only be turned away, saying ‘you’re a bright kid, solve it yourself’.

Unfortunately, this often comes at a price, because given my limitations, I often falter when attempting to accomplish something. Those are the times when my parents would come to learn of my failure and emphasize the fact that this should be expected from me. I guess that’s where this family distrust somehow developed.

I am now trying to raise a family of my own composed of a loving wife, three beautiful daughters, and an only begotten son. At times, I would see them, especially my two older daughters, trying hard to work on their assignments on their own, and memories of my painful childhood years would flash back in my mind. That’s when I would come near and help them out, telling them that they can always come to me if they need help in anything.

On a regular basis, I give them all a hug, giving them the assurance that I love and trust them. In doing so, I am hoping that family distrust will be non-existent in my family, and my kids, when they come of age, will not have to remember a difficult childhood where trust is hardly extended.

Love Stories Are For Normal People

I had a good friend way back in high school who told me that given myphysical handicap, getting a girl to fall in love with me would be next toimpossible.

My friend was, of course, being frank and simply telling the truth. Still, the stubborn part of me ignored the above statement, and went on courting several girls. Take note, these are not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill women. They are particularly attractive and can easily stand out in a crowd.

In all of these courtships, the results were naturally not to my disadvantage. Thus, I always ended up nursing a broken heart over and over.

The heartbreaks finally stopped ten years ago when one special girl entered my life. She was, like all the other girls I have courted, particularly attractive, but she had one single difference. She actually said 'yes'.

This girl eventually became my wife, to the dismay of my mother who believes that this girl is not really serious with me. She said that given mydisability, it will not come as a surprise if this girl will one day decide to look for a more normal guy and have a more normal life.

I refused to believe this, confident in the fact that my wife is faithful and completely in love with me.

There are times though when I can see her looking at other men. When confronted, she would deny this.

Still, those are rare occasions, and my wife would often assure me that she is not the playgirl type and that she will never do anything that will bring ruin to our family.

We now have four children, and are still living happily together. Last weekend, however, a chance encounter with another man awakened me to a dark reality in my life.

My wife was then playing at the arcade while carrying our one-year-old son. I was by her left side looking after our two-month-old baby. To her right was a young man in t-shirt and who was wearing  a white cap. He was quietly watching her play although I believe that they do not know each other.

At that point, my wife was on a winning streak, having earned several arcade tickets. I could see that she was particularly happy as arcade victories came rarely to her.

I was half-expecting her to look at me and smile. To my surprise, however, she looked at the man to her right, smiled at him and said something about being particularly lucky that day. The man smiled back, and then hesitantlywalked away.

My wife then looked at me innocently. I asked her if she knew the guy and she said no. I then asked her why she smiled at him, and she jokingly said it's because I was not looking at her.

To others, this may pass off as something of no value at all. To me though, it was a wake-up call, a pat on the back to help me keep in mind that fordisabled people like me, love can never be a long-lasting experience. That one incident alone is a clear indication that I could easily lose my wife anytime if ever a 'normal' and good -looking man should come in to her life.

In all the years that we have been together, I have known her to be extra friendly, even to men. That is why many of them are drawn to her. We have a small sari-sari store, and  I often notice that whenever the customer is a guy, my wife would make the first move to be of service even if I'm the one tending the store.

Many of our customers also happen to be men as there is a car wash outlet located in front of our store. Practically all of its male employees know my wife by name and often look for her whenever they come to us to buy something.

This has somehow put a dent on our marriage since I usually end up gettingjealous. My wife continues to assure me of her love, but her many actionsoften contradict this. Secretly, I feel that it is only a matter of time before she falls for someone else.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the day will never come, if only for my children's sake. Still, when I recall my old friend's declaration and my mother's belief, I can only bow in agreement.

Whoever said that fairy tales do come true is probably living in dream land. And whoever said that all is fair in love is probably one who has never shed a tear for a badly broken heart.