Cito Beltran’s column in today’s Philippine Star is an interesting recount of a recent Automobile Association of the Philippines forum about Metro Manila’s traffic problems. Quezon City Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista, who is concurrently head of the Traffic Committee for the Metro Manila Mayor’s Council, never responded to the invitation, says Beltran.
Maybe that’s a good thing.
“The intention for inviting Bistek was to give him numerous inputs and reports of traffic mismanagement in various cities and municipalities in Metro Manila…it would also have been interesting to listen to him explain why many parts of Quezon City especially along EDSA, the Commonwealth area, Quezon Boulevard etc. have been consistent flood prone areas that almost always results in serious traffic jams all over Metro Manila. which he in turn could communicate with the mayors concerned in order to address them.”
We call that “The Hot Seat”.
Here’s what you missed, Mayor Bistek:
1. Camp Aguinaldo recently improved their in-camp drainage system with culverts or cement pipes that are larger in diameter than the receiving culverts along EDSA, which is within Quezon City.
2. The traffic problem is OUR problem. We all contribute to it. We are all affected by it, and we can all help do something about it.
3. Given logistical inadequacies, MMDA should resort to random enforcement activities such as “Motorcycle Day” where they concentrate on traffic violations involving motorcycles. Then they can have an anti-colorum day, a jaywalker campaign, air horn confiscation, etc.
4. It was also suggested that MMDA Chairman Tolentino set-up a “sumbungan” system or a text center dedicated to reporting areas where traffic enforcers are missing, preying on motorists or goofing on the job.
5. We need to introduce more technology in traffic enforcement just like what Singapore has done: no-contact apprehension, no confiscation of licenses, no removal of plates. By using a combination of CCTVs, RF tags, and vehicle records, the City State simply sends you notice through email that you were on candid camera and your prize comes with a price!
