Once Again, Once More

And the never-ending debate on the u-turns rages on…

It’s not as if the latest traffic management measures undertaken by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) were not expected. In fact, the moment erstwhile MMDA Chairman now Vice Presidential candidate Bayani Fernando stepped down from office, you knew some changes were to be expected. Current MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes has proven to be quite the busy body, implementing new measures left and right – the most commendable of which is the effort to reach out to the Metro Manila Council in order to form a technical working group meant to harmonize traffic enforcement throughout Metro Manila. But, as always, the most controversial of Chairman Inocentes’ moves has been that concerning those ubiquitous u-turns.

Of particular interest is the sudden closure of several u-turn slots spanning the length of what is now one of the busiest thoroughfares in Metro Manila – C5. Thanks to Chairman Inocentes’ need to implement changes, instead of many closely spaced u-turns, we now have a few towards the far ends of the said highway. I’ve heard several complaints from people who regularly ply the said route. The common argument is that the closure of the u-turns has forced them to take longer routes, keeping their cars out on the roads longer in the process – a sound argument, to be sure. One that, logic dictates, worsens the traffic situation – especially in the eyes of the affected motorists.

But hey, there’s another way to view the entire experiment. Less u-turns along the major thoroughfare means less choke points, and consequently, faster traffic flow. Here’s fact: there are also several people who prefer things the way they are now – yours truly being one of them. I also ply the said route regularly and I personally don’t mind staying out on the road and going the “longer” but arguably “faster” route. For some, it works, for others, it doesn’t. But let’s face it, that’s the nature of an experiment.

Which brings us to our stand and point on the entire matter. Do we feel that MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes is on the right track by implementing several changes that the past MMDA leadership was too adamant not to undertake? We would like to believe so. There were obviously some experiments that “failed” during the time of the past MMDA Chairman. Chairman Inocentes is merely acting upon those which can be considered among the most controversial – which is but fair, if you ask us. In other words, we laud the current Chairman’s openness to public outcry. However, this doesn’t mean we agree with everything that is currently being done by the MMDA – the move on the controversial u-turns included.

While we do feel that the move to lessen u-turns has eased traffic flow somewhat, we still stand by our original assessment on the matter. Our streets were not constructed with these u-turns in mind. Intrinsically, they cannot handle the traffic flow, especially if it were to worsen. Neither are Filipinos learned in the proper way to use u-turns. If you may recall, the u-turn experiment was originally undertaken by the MMDA as just that – an experiment. To this day, we still consider these u-turns as a band aid solution – something that should be done only in the interim.

What this country desperately needs is a strong sense and unquestionable adherence to discipline. We road users need to learn to accept and respect our laws, our law enforcers and the infrastructure that is already in place. And then we need to discipline ourselves to follow what is already set before us. Conversely, our law enforcers ought to respect the law and shun giving motorists the easy way out. They also should earn our respect, in other words. Short cut solutions are fine. But like we said, only for now. And for all who will argue that it is impossible for us to take the higher ground or that it is too late to discipline the Filipino road user, I have two words for you – Subic Bay. Filipinos (road users and law enforcers alike) can be disciplined, respectful and fair. We all just have to give it a good, solid shot.

Of course we ourselves don’t expect this to happen overnight. Heck, we don’t even expect it to happen within the term of Chairman Inocentes – not that we think he is not able. For what it’s worth, we honestly don’t even see any long-term growth spurts within the Chairman’s term because in all likelihood, Chairman Inocentes will be given his walking papers once a new President is elected towards the middle of the year. That’s just fact. There is no such thing as continuity when change in governance is involved. Every politician who takes the reins for the first time will likely label his or her predecessor’s moves as evil to the core and simply throw away everything that the said predecessor worked for. Yes, including the positive ones.

But therein lies the challenge for the current MMDA Chairman. If indeed he has nothing but the best for Metro Manila’s traffic management in mind, he will pave the way for long term solutions – never mind if he may not be the person who eventually sees things through. The effort to unite the Local Government Units in total traffic management is a good start. Perhaps a good hard push for better road usage education – and consequently for better road discipline – could be the next step. Hopefully the Chairman’s vision goes way beyond improving any of the current band aid solutions that are already in place. We would be only too glad to see the day when we talk of u-turns in the past tense – as necessary but only temporary steps to a better-run traffic system. Perhaps then, we wouldn’t have to even write about them once again, once more…

Here are some of your comments from last week’s section…

ON ANDY LEUTERIO’S UNINTENDED RECOLLECTIONS: They don’t make cars like they used to. The 70s and 80s cars are more robust than today’s cars. – Brakepads1962 (A matter of perspective, we’d argue, but true to a certain degree, dear reader.)

ON DONG MAGSAJO’S CRUZE IN CONTROL: I’ve been trying to get more information regarding this model AND this is good inside info. I hope they publish the retail prices soon, especially the one for the 5-speed MT. – engr_kristian (The 5-speed manual transmission variant of the new Chevrolet Cruze is the one that goes for P808,000.)