In denial

3rd Place.

That is the dubious honor that Metro Manila recently won as one of the worst places to drive in the world.

As expected, everybody has his or her own idea as to where the fault lies or who is to blame. One lady broadcaster immediately put the blame on Filipino drivers whom she called “bastos.” Another opinion said that there are too many cars and vehicles in Metro Manila, while several government personnel claimed that it was the fault of local government officials who refuse to do the right things such as removing sidewalk vendors and illegal terminals.

The tragedy is that most of the blame was focused on road related matters but no one was honest enough or bold enough to put the mirror in front of them. It is always other peoples’ fault but never ours. I am hoping that by mentioning some of the real reasons, the readers and leaders in the Visayas and Mindanao will actually reflect on the future and start making better plans and policies so that their cities don’t end up with a reputation as being one of the worst places to drive.

At this very moment, many drivers in Metro Manila particularly those using EDSA are complaining about how slow and congested this major road artery has become. The excuse that authorities are giving is that current road repairs in other alternative routes have caused drivers to shift to EDSA thus the traffic jam.

No one of course will ever raise the fact that EDSA is susceptible to congestion because it is walled in by many “exclusive” villages that refuse to give access or allow “pass through” traffic. The high and mighty legends in their own mind even think that their exclusivity extends beyond their village walls so they protest against fly over bridges from being built outside their villages because their privacy would be disturbed!

Instead of being able to disperse the volume of traffic as it runs through EDSA, motorists end up in funnels because there are very few exit or entry points thereby creating even more obstruction. Unfortunately, it would take Peter the Great or Attila the Hun to force these arrogant lot to cooperation because even lowly mayors, governors or congressmen from the provinces eventually aspire to live in such “exclusive” villages.

The only solution to this bullheaded obstruction is to put a higher tax on “exclusive” villages that refuse to provide access way for pass through traffic. The fact is many of these villages actually charge a fee for a pass through sticker claiming it is part of management costs, yet they have the same service benefits from local government for garbage collection and law enforcement. If “exclusive villages” value their privacy so much, they should pay for it and not charge for it.

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This early in the game, officials of cities such as Cebu, Iloilo and Davao must plan 20 years ahead. They need to have the laws, the infrastructure and zoning plan that will insure that people don’t use roads as their private garage while converting their driveways into sari-sari stores or laundry areas.

Local governments need to make sure that sidewalks are actually useful and not half baked expenses that eventually become obstacle courses for pedestrian. In Mandaluyong and Pasig I have noticed that many electric posts have taken over the sidewalk. Many “junction” boxes or “terminal cabinets” of telephone companies occupy sidewalks.

All of these directly contribute to forcing pedestrians onto the streets and thereby adding to the obstruction. Cities outside Metro Manila still have the advantage of available space and the chance to make better plans. Right now, SM-Mega Mall has taken the initiative to build a bus terminal off EDSA thereby reducing obstruction in the area. The MMDA has pointed out several times that one major contributor to traffic are the illegal loading and off-loading of passenger as well as illegal terminals.

Sooner or later, there will be more motorcycles and bicycles than cars on Philippine roads. Planners need to prepare for this eventuality and provide the space, the safety and security. Perhaps it would also be a good idea if the different car clubs, motorcycle riders organizations and even biking enthusiasts take the initiative to dialogue with city and provincial planners because it is in their interest to contribute what they know.

Even the best and well meaning leaders don’t know everything and that is usually what leads to bad designs, concepts or policies. What you want is freedom of movement and not boulevard of broken dreams.