Parking for seniors and traffic enforcement

Just before we enter the fourth and last quarter of the year, let’s take a breather by giving way to our readers. The first two letters tackle complaints about the irregularity of perks for senior citizens, particularly about parking allocation in malls.

I hope the local governments, particularly of cities, can meet and discuss about standardizing the benefits that accrue to senior citizens. Understanding that not all cities are as affluent as Makati, which has become the model for providing benefits and privileges to seniors, a categorized standard could be agreed on to avoid confusion and complaints.

The next two letters feature contributions from readers about our worsening traffic in Metro Manila, which we can expect to even deteriorate now that the gift-giving month of December is fast approaching. Read on.

Limited parking slots

This one is from Gilda “Vanessa” Figueroa: “May I just inform you that Robinsons Magnolia has only 40 allotted parking slots for seniors; likewise Ayala Trinoma (I forget now how many slots); and others. The senior is asked to pay if there are no more available vacant slots.

“Is there a law that says malls and establishments can only give a number of senior citizen slots?

“Please enlighten because we are made to fall in line and wait for a next available slot for seniors even if there are normal slots available. Sometimes it takes almost an hour or more until we just give up and relent to pay the parking fee.

“We were told by the guards and the cashier of the parking either we wait indefinitely or we are ought to pay.

“I hope you can bring this issue out there to inform the authorities as this is causing seniors unnecessary stress.

“I hope the local government can look into this matter for the protection of all senior citizens of the Philippines.

“Thank you very much for souls like you who get the voice out there.”

Free for first three hours

This next one is from Bel Liboro, also another senior citizen, and contains a very informative experience. Here goes.

“I am always interested in articles that deal with privileges of senior citizens, especially in Quezon City. Unfortunately, I was out of the country on Aug. 28 so I was not able to read your article.

“Let me just tell you of my experience. First of all, I am very grateful to QC because it is the only city that gives free 3-hour parking for seniors. As I understand the law (or ordinance), we QC seniors can park in QC for free for the first 3 hours, whether we park in the special senior designated parking slots or elsewhere if there are no more senior slots available. 

“Most places are very accommodating to seniors, but I have to say that Trinoma is not one of these places. The first time I parked there, I did not realize that as I enter I am supposed to get a piece of paper from the guard (who was not there at the time I came in) indicating that I am a senior.  

“So when I exited without the said paper, I was charged the regular parking fee. Ok, charge it to experience. The next time, I got the paper when I came in. But when I exited, because I exceeded the 3-hour free parking, the cashier was going to charge me the full fee, the 3 hours plus the extra time.

“I said I understand that I have to pay the extra over the 3 hours, but certainly I still get the free 3-hour parking. She could not understand this and kept telling me I had to pay the full fee. I refused to move until she called her supervisor (which took a while). Thank goodness the super understood the situation and let me just pay the excess.”

Common sense approaches

Our first featured reader is Ankur Narain. He writes: “I read your column last week, and while several bigger proposals came from various sectors, in my view, simpler and quicker, more common sense approaches should be tried first.

“Example 1: If you want to turn left, stay in the left lane. I often see this to be the case all over Manila. This causes all vehicles going straight or right to slow down, trapping hundreds behind them.

“Example 2: I am sure you would have seen that many of our drivers don’t know how to turn. From the second lane, the will try to turn left. Across the world, the turn markings at a junction are clearly visible forcing drivers to obey them. Simply painting road intersections with these will greatly speed up traffic.

“Example 3: Many bottlenecks on EDSA were created due to now infamous MRT 3 system. If we simply put a sign asking drivers to take turns entering into a merging lane, they will abide, out of shame.

“Example 4: I recently rode taxis several times as my car was in the casa for repairs. I noticed that even with no traffic, the taxi drivers had a hard time keeping to a lane. They simple drove in a zigzag manner.

“I think some of it comes from their training as a jeepney driver because of play in the steering wheel, but modern cars don’t have play. I saw so many cars flashing (their headlights) to go past as these taxi drivers would not stay in a lane. If we retrained or reexamined these guys driving, we can correct them.

“Many more like the above are very commonsense-oriented and can be implemented quickly without any pain.

“Lastly we can’t ignore that there will be many who will still break (traffic rules), but my firm belief is that many more will comply simply for a less stressful drive in the metropolis.”

Importance of enforcement

Last letter sender requests anonymity. He says: “I whole-heartedly agree with your article published in… the Philippine Star. As someone born in the Philippines, I too am concerned for the safety of the public. It breaks my heart when I read about these types of articles when I know they can be avoided.

“I hope the authorities act on them soon before the situation gets worse. Maybe some do not think it affects the government. It will cost the country dearly in healthcare (most of the affected will be the masses; the injured will have to be taken care off by the government if they have no means) and infrastructure maintenance and repair costs. Public safety is a paramount responsibility of the government.

“I believe driver discipline and strict enforcement of the law are the first steps. What good will it do if they are not enforced accordingly? Enforce it and driver discipline will follow.”

PCCL 2014 National Collegiate Championship

Four teams in the UAAP – Ateneo, FEU, DLSU and NU – are assured of spots in the forthcoming Champions League games. The final rankings will determine at what stage these teams will play. The champion and runner-up will automatically join the Elite Eight group, while the third and fourth placers will have to pass through the Luzon-Metro Manila elimination knock-out games to earn a slot in the Elite Eight stage.

Visit www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net for more information on the 2014 National Collegiate Championship.

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Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.