Last week, I was invited by my college
friends to attend a concert celebrating the new school year. Back then I would
jump at this opportunity to get drunk off my ass with glee and excitement. But
lately, the traffic situation in EDSA has really reduced the enthusiasm I have
in these affairs.
I'm from south of Muntinlupa and I went to
college in Quezon City. Back in 2009, I remember getting agitated in a bus
because I was coming in late for an exam. The Skyway extension project from
Bicutan to Alabang just got started and I failed to factor it in my travel
time. Eventually, I got to that exam and was able to answer enough questions to
pass. I was saved by the Nova Bus Lines plying the route of Baclaran to
Fairview via ILALIM LAHAT.
 |
| Riding a Nova, Newman Goldline or Safeway made EDSA look like these five years ago |
That was roughly five years ago.
Traffic sucked but it was bearable with the help of a reliable MRT and a few
bus companies that would rather burn more fuel than wait for passengers.
Fast-forward to the present and that is no longer the case.
These days, it takes me 5 hours to get to
Philcoa from our bus terminal. This is the case regardless of the time of day.
A few years back it took 2 and a half hours. Nowadays, I no longer ride the MRT
because I'd rather sit down in a bus than stand in line for an hour to ride a
congested train that may breakdown any moment. All buses nowadays are not
allowed to go Ilalim in Cubao, Crossing or Ayala giving no incentive to switch
buses in Mantrade/Magallanes.You will now see private vehicles and provincial
buses in the city bus lanes. City buses on the other hand have no choice but to
get as many passengers in one trip as possible to make up for the time they
spend in traffic. They become a bit more "gahaman" nowadays. EDSA has
really made visiting my old stomping grounds look like a chore than a night of
debauchery.
I know in my case, traffic in EDSA isn't a
big deal. So I don't get to go to UP and get drunk as much. But how about the
other people who ply through EDSA daily? How about my friend who lives in
Fairview and works in Taguig? Is it ok that he has to spend 5 hours a day to go
to and from work where he already spends 9 hours? It seems more practical to be
a bed spacer in Makati than to go through that hell hole we call EDSA everyday
in his case. It's crazy how I have a point considering Taguig and Fairview
aren't as far away from each other geographically as the travel time would
suggest.
The traffic in EDSA and the whole Metropolis
for that matter has been a major source of irritation or in some case anger for
us commuters. And the way the government handles it is pretty deplorable.
Before I start ranting about how the
government sucks at traffic management, some of you may see traffic as a result
of lack of discipline. If only magbibigayan ang mga motorista, we won't have
this much traffic. And sure, you may have a point. But that reasoning
is a result of lack of authority from the ruling body. If the government gave
the people more reason to respect the traffic regulations like by being more
visible and strict, maybe drivers would be more disciplined. I mean without the
fear of getting caught, a lot people become douche bags..
Now, we have seen more CCTV camera out there.
Catching violators has become easier and the YouScoop and Bayan Mo Ipatrol mo
segments of the prime time news programs are usually packed with these stories.
But catching traffic violators is just half the battle.
The elections are coming. Recently, Mar Roxas
went to Cebu and addressed the crowd. Traffic eventually came up and according
to him. traffic just means that the economy is
booming echoing the sentiments of current President Aquino.
According to him, the reason why people missed their flights was because of an
influx in tourism. His allies appealed for more patience
and asked us to just leave earlier. Ok, sure. It's not like traffic in this
country is one of the worst in the world or anything. Oh, wait.
I'm not going to further antagonize Roxas. I mean, in GMA's version of the headline he did say that further investments in infrastructure is needed. Plus, he is with DILG and his responsibilities don't really encapsulate the traffic woes we have.
Let's look at the president. As I mentioned, Roxas only echoed Aquino's sentiments. Too bad the yahoo report with his quote won't load. Aside from his comment that I can no longer backup, there is the fact that his SONA's are not really focused on traffic. It is pretty evident if you read the last SONA. Though he did talk proudly of the Cavite Expressway and the Skyway Extension Project as he should, Be that as it may, I feel the commuter concerns are not really a priority for him. I mean, how can he applaud Jun Abaya's work on maritime concerns without reminding how inadequate he has been in dealing with the MRT? He mentioned how 2008 maintenance only covered painting. He mentioned DOTC's maintenance plans were TRO'ed by thanks to the evil corporation. Sure the MTRC is playing hardball, but how can he still be confident in Abaya? The fact of the matter is, Abaya couldn't handle his job with the MRT. Coupled with the dilapidated state of the PNR; Abaya hasn't really done much for the commuters. All Aquino did was applaud Abaya and defend him. When was the last time you were applauded by your boss when you failed to finish your paperwork? I don't know about you, but the awesomeness of my last report does not change the fact that I will get my ass handed to me if I miss my next deadline. I don't know what is it with Aquino and scolding his ineffective underlings. He bombards us with his "Daang Matuwid" slogan, yet accountability is an alien term as far as his allies are concerned.
Speaking of Aquino allies, how about the MMDA? How about Francis Tolentino? Do you remember the bus scheme that was put in place? Rappler gives us a diagram here of how it works. It's been a year now. The first few months, I noticed this. Two buses left the terminal at once and one can drop off at Ayala and the other can't. The same can be said with the rest of the stops. But for the past couple of times I went to the Metro, this is no longer being practiced. Buses will stop anywhere if you hit the metal handle bars with a coin. I guess, we can chalk this one up as a failed attempt. But an attempt nonetheless.
How about the Express Connect Bus? Remember the buses with limited drop off points from Fairview to Ayala? Well, as you can imagine, bus drivers and conductors really got the short end of that deal.
I really feel sorry for the MMDA. I mean, Tolentino tries. But he just can't help but fail. This can be attributed to the fact that the LGU's don't respect him. He may have a ton of plans that may work. But he has to compromise with several ego-driven LGU dynasties who I suspect don't respect him as much since he is not an elected official. These LGU's have their own ordinances and some don't even follow the number coding scheme. The fact that he's from Tagaytay does not help his case in talking with these mayors.
As corrupt as the MMDA was when Fernando was head of it, I really miss him. He kicked ass. His enforcers would catch buses and private vehicles alike with no qualms if they disobeyed the rules. Sure it may be driven by kotong but drivers had the fear of being caught because of these relentless kotong boys. I remember city buses being limited to the right-most lane except when they go Ilalim. Private vehicles and provincial buses couldn't cross over to those lanes. It's crazy how I'm cheering for a guy who has a few corruptionallegations.
The MMDA seems to be the hardest office to take over. You have to deal with the DOTC for transport related items. They have to deal with the DPWH who constantly construct in the most inopportune moments. The LGU's may not respect you since they are elected officials. Maybe if NCR had a governor or something. Maybe the traffic woes can be handled in a unified fashion.
Traffic in Metro Manila has been a constant source of anger, rage and profanity-laden tirades. I have mentioned accountability once or twice before. But for the case of traffic in the Metro, who should be accountable? The drivers? DOTC? MMDA? LGU's? the President?
It's really hard to pinpoint who should handle this. But if this government really planned on getting getting the economy running, shouldn't it have developed a long term plan in handling the expected influx of traffic volume like the one they had for energy consumption? Oh wait...
Sometimes it makes me think. Is the economy growing because of this government's leadership or despite of it?
I'm not going to further antagonize Roxas. I mean, in GMA's version of the headline he did say that further investments in infrastructure is needed. Plus, he is with DILG and his responsibilities don't really encapsulate the traffic woes we have.
Let's look at the president. As I mentioned, Roxas only echoed Aquino's sentiments. Too bad the yahoo report with his quote won't load. Aside from his comment that I can no longer backup, there is the fact that his SONA's are not really focused on traffic. It is pretty evident if you read the last SONA. Though he did talk proudly of the Cavite Expressway and the Skyway Extension Project as he should, Be that as it may, I feel the commuter concerns are not really a priority for him. I mean, how can he applaud Jun Abaya's work on maritime concerns without reminding how inadequate he has been in dealing with the MRT? He mentioned how 2008 maintenance only covered painting. He mentioned DOTC's maintenance plans were TRO'ed by thanks to the evil corporation. Sure the MTRC is playing hardball, but how can he still be confident in Abaya? The fact of the matter is, Abaya couldn't handle his job with the MRT. Coupled with the dilapidated state of the PNR; Abaya hasn't really done much for the commuters. All Aquino did was applaud Abaya and defend him. When was the last time you were applauded by your boss when you failed to finish your paperwork? I don't know about you, but the awesomeness of my last report does not change the fact that I will get my ass handed to me if I miss my next deadline. I don't know what is it with Aquino and scolding his ineffective underlings. He bombards us with his "Daang Matuwid" slogan, yet accountability is an alien term as far as his allies are concerned.
Speaking of Aquino allies, how about the MMDA? How about Francis Tolentino? Do you remember the bus scheme that was put in place? Rappler gives us a diagram here of how it works. It's been a year now. The first few months, I noticed this. Two buses left the terminal at once and one can drop off at Ayala and the other can't. The same can be said with the rest of the stops. But for the past couple of times I went to the Metro, this is no longer being practiced. Buses will stop anywhere if you hit the metal handle bars with a coin. I guess, we can chalk this one up as a failed attempt. But an attempt nonetheless.
How about the Express Connect Bus? Remember the buses with limited drop off points from Fairview to Ayala? Well, as you can imagine, bus drivers and conductors really got the short end of that deal.
I really feel sorry for the MMDA. I mean, Tolentino tries. But he just can't help but fail. This can be attributed to the fact that the LGU's don't respect him. He may have a ton of plans that may work. But he has to compromise with several ego-driven LGU dynasties who I suspect don't respect him as much since he is not an elected official. These LGU's have their own ordinances and some don't even follow the number coding scheme. The fact that he's from Tagaytay does not help his case in talking with these mayors.
As corrupt as the MMDA was when Fernando was head of it, I really miss him. He kicked ass. His enforcers would catch buses and private vehicles alike with no qualms if they disobeyed the rules. Sure it may be driven by kotong but drivers had the fear of being caught because of these relentless kotong boys. I remember city buses being limited to the right-most lane except when they go Ilalim. Private vehicles and provincial buses couldn't cross over to those lanes. It's crazy how I'm cheering for a guy who has a few corruptionallegations.
The MMDA seems to be the hardest office to take over. You have to deal with the DOTC for transport related items. They have to deal with the DPWH who constantly construct in the most inopportune moments. The LGU's may not respect you since they are elected officials. Maybe if NCR had a governor or something. Maybe the traffic woes can be handled in a unified fashion.
Traffic in Metro Manila has been a constant source of anger, rage and profanity-laden tirades. I have mentioned accountability once or twice before. But for the case of traffic in the Metro, who should be accountable? The drivers? DOTC? MMDA? LGU's? the President?
It's really hard to pinpoint who should handle this. But if this government really planned on getting getting the economy running, shouldn't it have developed a long term plan in handling the expected influx of traffic volume like the one they had for energy consumption? Oh wait...
Sometimes it makes me think. Is the economy growing because of this government's leadership or despite of it?
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