Traffic, the face of a city

A disorderly traffic is not so serious a problem for a city. It is not as important as the people's livelihood or peace and order. But it is a problem no less because a disorderly traffic projects a weak administration, an overbearing group of jeepney drivers, and an undisciplined citizenry.

And because people look at the negative side, we look at it positively, a disorderly traffic reveals a big number of vehicles, indicating progress. The problem, therefore, is that our leaders did not keep up with the progress. They thought this is still 1950 when the number of jeepneys was only one-tenth of what we have now.

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It is always common among visitors to a city to judge it on the orderliness of traffic. And the solution is not very hard. What it needs is just political will.

And political will here means, the city officials are not afraid of the threat of jeepney drivers during election. How many jeepney driver voters we have compared with the overall voters? Just like the sidewalk vendors. Insignificant!

They just happen to have good leaders who can make noise and threaten jeepney strikes. But what have we to be afraid of jeepney strikes? I even would challenge them, as I did many times in the past, that when they strike, they make it a week or a month.

We have no quarrel with jeepney drivers except those who violate traffic rules and their leaders who do not want to discipline their members.

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We are happy we have Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. who showed some political will and is not afraid to tangle with the jeepney drivers. Why should he be afraid when he is against only the traffic violators?

And we are happy we have Bantay Banwa.

As I said, if we have abusive drivers it has been because in the past our city officials were afraid of jeepney drivers.

When city officials stand up to these erring drivers, they will back off, including their leaders. But, as I said, what is needed is political will. Political will to punish erring drivers. As well as erring traffic enforcers.

Make the punishment tough and don't allow a traffic enforcer to keep the traffic violation receipt for more than 12 hours. This is the root of corruption. TEs who apprehend traffic violators hold on to the TVRs in the hope of a “transaction”.

So, see to it that the TVRs are well accounted for. Again, this needs political will.

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Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando has done it. He has established a name as a no-nonsense executive that, believe me, if only he can win, he will make a good President.

This is what the country needs now, strong leaders. Leaders who are not afraid to enforce the laws, the likes of Rodrigo Duterte of Davao, Richard Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa, and many other strong mayors.

In cities or towns where the mayors are strong, the city or town is progressive.

Out traffic is not as bad as Iloilo or Cebu . But, we have to act. And I hope Mayor Bing Leonardia and the city council give Jun Gamboa enough support. Gamboa has shown he can do it and not afraid to enforce the laws. He tangled with the leaders of jeepney drivers and he stood his ground. I believe they respect him now. And Jun should take advantage of that.

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But, all these must not be left to the hands of city officials. The public and particularly the motorists have a greater role to play by showing that they themselves are law abiding.

Places not allowed for parking must be so marked. Double parking must be apprehended without fear or favor.

Traffic enforcers must also be given incentives for their apprehension. You do not know, this can mean a big earning for the city.

City officials must not scold traffic enforcers who apprehend their rich and powerful friends. They even must commend the traffic cops. If the traffic cops are really abusive let these complainers file a case in court. And we in media will side with the TEs if they can prove they were doing it in line with their duty. We also need a traffic court.

Traffic enforcers must also be trained and learn at heart traffic rules. This will give them the courage to apprehend.

And in the budget there are 180 traffic enforcers but only 80 are enforcing traffic. The rest are assigned in some offices. This is wrong. Let them all be in the streets and we will see if these erring drivers will not behave.

With 180 traffic enforces assigned to apprehend even just one every day and submit to the office, you can just imagine the earning. And give the TEs the incentive.

I guarantee you, in less than a month, we will have the most disciplined drivers in Bacolod. *

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