Road Kills
November 9th, 2008 by Ishmael AhabAnother six people died in another freak traffic accident that involves a public utility bus. The scene of that accident is in North Luzon Expressway in the heat of All Saint’s Day. Days before that incident, a doctor perished in a similar accident that involved two buses and a car, which burst into flames.
An editorial in the Philippine Daily Inquirer lamented that one of the reason why many public utility buses were involved in many accidents is in the “fact” that bus drivers are machoshits (a term that signifies males who subscribe in extreme machismo). They use their driving as a way to feed their macho ego. Partly, I agree with the editorial’s analysis. What’s with the many stickers that are plastered on their windshields that show girls in bikinis, half-naked babes, and “salawikains” with double-meanings? Many drivers are also avid readers of tabloids like Tiktik, Toro, and the disgusting Sagad. Even their moniker “hari ng kalsada” can be viewed as a stamp for their perceived macho image.
The editorial’s insight is not enough because the problem does not only lie with the drivers but also in the whole public transport system. The system of how the drivers earn their daily wages is one of the major reasons why they were forced to race one another, violate scores of traffic rules. Bus drivers earns through the percentage system wherein he will get a certain percentage of the gross earnings of the bus that he is driving. Jeepney drivers on the hand had to earn above a certain amount (also known as “boundary”) before they could earn anything. Aside from these, the driver had to shoulder the expenses on fuel, payment on their transport terminal and other things. They also had to contend with the crocodiles of the streets like corrupt MMDA officers, traffic policemen, and even greedy barangay tanods.
MMDA’s schemes of easing the traffic also do not help reduce the numbers of accidents on the streets of Metro Manila. Bayani Fernando was even lambasted because of his announcement that speed limit is not needed on EDSA. LTO is also spiked with corruptions that allow ineligible people to acquire driver’s licenses. LTFRB, on the other hand, turns a blind eye on bus companies that have numerous records of street accidents.
The problem with our public transport system is large and deadly. The sad thing is that our government is not serious in repairing it. It seems that one high officials should experience an accident on the streets so that they will wake up and the see how dangerous our streets are. As long as the system does not change, more people will perish.
November 9, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Is it too much to expect the government to prioritize developing the parts of the Philippines that are not urban centers, so that people from the provinces will have one less reason to feel compelled to come to the big city?
They flock to Manila with the goal of either getting a better education in its schools or landing a high-paying job, right? Many of them sacrifice separation from their families if it means achieving any of these goals.
Meanwhile, the government has constructed more flyovers around Metro Manila and widened and cemented roads, expectedly has given out and renewed more drivers’ licenses and permits to more professional drivers and more bus, jeep and taxi companies.
I think that as long as Filipinos behind the wheel feel that they’re being given what is due them (be these opportunities, material compensation, food on the table etc), road rage and “hari ng kalsada” attitudes will be difficult to wipe out.
November 9, 2008 at 6:07 pm
“…behind the wheel feel that they’re NOT being given…”
November 9, 2008 at 11:58 pm
This is the job of Roberto Suansing. Implementation of proper system is lacking as a result of poor organizational skills, leadership, analytical and preventative measures. It would be best to replace him. The next person will function better for fear of losing his/her job. It’s the only way we can get things done if manager understand that his job involves the safety and lives of the people. He can actually get sued for all accidents in the road. any lawyer?
November 10, 2008 at 12:06 am
Drivers rely on various transportation laws, rules and regulations implemented by LTO. Obviously LTO has not tighten its rules and regulations. When laws are weak, drivers can easily take it for granted.
November 12, 2008 at 5:46 am
@sunnyday
Developing the rural areas is one good solution to minimize the accidents in the streets of Metro Manila. Ang isa kasi nating problema dito sa atin ay napakaraming sasakyan ang nasa kalsada plus napakaraming pedestrians na minsan ay hindi naman sumusunod sa batas on jaywalking.
Tungkol naman sa mga flyover, masyadong mataas ‘yung mga flyover para sa mga tao kaya marami sa kanila ang nagiging jaywalker.
@leytenian
Poor management ng public transportation system din ang isang ugat kung bakit nagkandaleche leche tayo. At may fault nito ay ang LTO at LTFRB dahil sila ang naka-assign sa mga bagay na ito. Oras na para maging seryoso. Alisin ang mga taong inefficient para umayos ang kalsada natin.
And right, andami na nating traffic rules, proper implementation na lang tayo laging sumasablay.
November 12, 2008 at 5:47 am
Gusto ko lang malaman, sa ibang urban centers kaya tulad ng Cebu City at Davao City, ganito rin kaya kalalala ang problem nila about sa vehicular accidents? O baka sa Metro Manila lang malalala ang problem na ito.
Maganda sana kung may data tayo about that.
November 13, 2008 at 7:57 am
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