The agony of endless traffic

The traffic problem in the country today is a colossal one. It is not funny anymore. It is very annoying and has become an agony for all of us. We waste our time and energy and miss many possibilities and opportunities for personal and national growth and development each day.

This administration has no foresight. They have very poor management skills. Instead of improving our country’s government systems and basic needs, they have made the Filipinos desperate, bitter, low-spirited and troubled. This is the President’s last hour. He should burn that midnight oil and summon his men to work doubly hard to save his Administration from shame.

We don’t live in the bundoks anymore. We don’t ride carriages pulled by horses or carabaos. As my late father Maximo V. Soliven wrote in his last column on the eve before his death, “Let’s get our country going on rails, in the air, and by sea. And we’ll see a new dawn for our country, weighed down by traffic, inefficiency, bureaucracy, corruption, and a sense of drift. “

From the first day of the P-Noy administration, the DOTC, LTO and LTFRB have confused the public in a way and deceived us with their services. What happened to the promised roadways, the railways and the trains? What happened to the improvements of the airports in the different parts of the country? What about the old dinky buses and jeepneys still running along EDSA and national highways today? Why are there many road mishaps? Why can’t government sustain appropriate and professional traffic management systems?

We live in a modern world where technology should be used to our advantage. Why can’t our government officials think big and look at the many traffic system models around the world. Why are we very pastoral, small-minded and limited? Planning at a global scale is important in order to achieve a greater chance of national development.

Can you imagine having to give a 2-hour leeway to travel from one city to the next which normally (without traffic) would only take 30 minutes? During peak hours it can even take 3 hours. For a public commuter add an extra hour or two. Think of all the anguish these commuters experience every day waiting in line for a jeep, a bus or a train and standing while travelling in a very hot, smelly and overcrowded vehicle and praying for their safety on the road.

Traffic congestion has worsened because of the number of cars on the road, poor infrastructure (too many potholes and flooded areas), on-going constructions (of DPWH), poor practices of private or public vehicles (roadside manners), lack of roads and railways, and very bad traffic management with illiterate enforcers manning the road.

With the horrific traffic people suffer inside the cars, buses and trains for hours causing health problems. In fact, nowadays, when we are stuck in traffic, we may need to wear diapers instead of holding our urges to urinate or defecate. We also need to make sure we have water supply, some food and medicine when we travel. I don’t know why our government officials can’t seem to empathize with the commuters. Are they numb or simply dumb?

The higher levels of congestion should in reality be associated with economic growth. But in reality it has been a drag on the growth of our nation. It slows down job growth, it affects the workforce going to and from their offices each day and it delays deliveries of goods and services. It adds to the expenses of everyone – taxi fares, gasoline, etc.

Today is the first day of the Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group. Let us see what difference this group will make on the nation’s worsening traffic madness. By the way, did you see the picture of the members of the HPG undergoing training on Friday’s Philippine Star front page? Whoa! The officers were slouching, looking sleepy, quite sloppy and tired with big tummies. They didn’t even have the energy to straighten up and look dignified and professional for a photo op. Are these the officers assigned to man our traffic? Sanamagan!

As Eduardo H. Yap, Chairman of the Management Association of the Philippines’ Traffic, Transportation and Infrastructure committee said, “Solving this humongous traffic problem necessitates collective action. There should be symmetry of actions. Government must know what its left hand is doing. Without a comprehensive traffic management plan, traffic woes would still haunt us even after two or three years from now and we cannot be made to suffer for that long. Let’s unite, and solve this traffic congestion problem ASAP.”

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Amidst all these frustrations comes a ray of hope to our people. We know that cancer is the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines. We are also aware that people stricken with cancer not only suffer the physical and emotional pain but also financial problems. Many patients use the traditional path using chemotheraphy treatments while others resolve to using natural-herbal medicine. Both ways are respected and are accepted.

Cancer survival rates are relatively low. Since government is slow in responding to our basic needs, I am happy to note that there are many non-governmental organizations around the country that serve our different needs. And the presence of these organizations is what keeps our country going.

 The Philippine Cancer Society, Inc. (PCSI), one of the oldest anti-cancer organizations in the country has endeavoured to serve Filipinos in the fight against cancer, control the spread of the disease and bring relief to those afflicted. This group has been serving many Filipinos since 1956. They work closely with the Department of Health (DOH), raising cancer awareness among Filipinos. In the past 59 years they continue to visit 100 communities every year for education information on cancer. They screen around 4,500 individuals per year for early detection of breast, cervical, and prostate cancer. Many patients who qualify for financial assistance are given diagnosis and treatment (surgery, chemotherapy) as well as hospice and palliative care which includes psychosocial counselling and support.

I asked the group led by its Honorary Chairman Imelda Cojuangco, Events Chairperson Helen Ong and Chairperson Consul Ma. Agnes T. Huibonhoa how they raise funds. They said that they have a yearly fashion show known in the social circle as the PCS – Best Dressed Women of the Philippines and the PCS – Men of Influence which is actually coming up on September 22, 2015 at the Makati Shangri-La hotel.

Well, I really don’t mind watching people enjoy life and at the same time thinking of giving and sharing. Our countrymen love to dance and sing and as long as they think of others in need, we must thank the Lord that such people exist in this world, in stark contrast to many of our politicians who steal and make our lives miserable.