Are we there yet? Consuelo de Bobo
CEBU, Philippines- If you were to pick up a copy of the Land Transportation and Traffic Code (Republic Act No. 4136), you will notice that this 25-page document was signed in 1964. Now, I don’t know about you, but anything that is over fifty years old should still be treated the same way we treat our senior citizens. We still love and respect them no matter how incontinent and senile they’ve become.
One may argue that we should retire this law as there are so many parts of it that are no longer being enforced today. Take for example Chapter IV, Article V, Section 52 which reads, “Driving or parking on sidewalk. – No person shall drive or park a motor vehicle upon or along any sidewalk, path or alley not intended for vehicular traffic or parking.” As you can clearly see in the photo attached to this article, that law is not being enforced.
For those who do not frequent the area in the photo, this is along Hernan Cortes Street, in Kapitolyo City. Specifically, this stretch of road is located at the foot of the overpass that took too long to build and, despite the fact that its surface rivals that of an obstacle course, is taking too long to get repaired. But that’s beside the point.
This stretch of road used to allow motorists to park on both sides. When the rehabilitation of another section of the road started, this section became notoriously snarled in traffic.
Now, after months and months of inaction, the traffic group of the city decided to ban roadside parking. This was done to open up two lanes to decongest the road. One lane was assigned for motorists who would continue on, while the other lane would be for those who would turn left at the T-junction up ahead.
Apparently, these genius TEAM-mates thought they solved the problem since ninety-nine percent of the time, no motor vehicles park on either side of the road. Well, as you can see in the photo, they park on the sidewalk instead. This isn’t even a frying pan into the fire scenario because we all know that this is what we commonly refer to as ‘consuelo de bobo’. Solve one problem by creating another and completely ignoring it.
I guess these guys figured that since the traffic law that disallows parking on sidewalks is so old, it’s about as toothless as the next geriatric about to be given their mandatory senior citizen birthday cake.
Err… Mac, it’s still a violation of the law to allow motor vehicles to park on sidewalks. And not enforcing the law just because it’s old and not making your job any easier isn’t going to let people forget the popularity you guys got through YouTube. I’m sure you guys are still stinging from that not-so-shocking exposé.
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