Editorial - Why not more roads too for pedestrians, vendors?

The so-called Road Revolution is a flawed concept, and about the only thing that can be said in on behalf of its organizers is that, at least, the actual closure of city streets to play out the Road Revolution folly is not their doing.

The organizers of Road Revolution can talk all they want until their teeth fall off, but they alone cannot cause the closure of busy city streets unless they have the connivance of Cebu City officials.

And that is precisely what happened. It was the naive city officials who swallowed hook, line and sinker the flawed theories of Road Revolution who slammed the door shut on thousands of Cebuanos just so 18 runners and 13 bikers can have the streets to themselves. 

It is incredible that city officials who are supposed to be on the side of the general public can abandon their greater constituency in favor of the very few, and all for a concept that cannot be validated under existing realities and prevailing circumstances.

And what is the concept? Those who have less in cars, kuno, should have more in roads. If that is so, why are the very same city officials who allowed 18 runners and 13 bikers to have the roads all to themselves preventing vendors and pedestrians from enjoying the same.

Pedestrians are carless people too. But why are city officials depriving them of more roads? Why can’t the thousands of pedestrians cross the streets anytime they want when 18 runners and 13 bikers can have entire city streets for their own private pleasure?

Vendors are carless people as well. But why are they being chased away from city streets? Why are they being forced into a life of playing cat and mouse with city authorities when city authorities can allow 18 runners and 13 bikers to cavort on streets made exclusive for their use?

If the theory that “those who have less in cars should have more in roads” is a valid exercise of a rational mind, then what are the bright minds behind the premier city in the south waiting for? Let us convert Cebu City into the only city in the world for runners and bikers.

Let us drive out all schools, businesses and other productive endeavors to other cities where road conditions make their continued operation and survival possible. Let us make Cebu City an exclusive enclave for runners and bikers. And swimmers when the streets get flooded.