‘Ponding’

Even veteran Journalist and Industrialists were ignorant of the “word” and did not quickly know its meaning. But leave it to Filipinos to serve up or maybe even coin a new meaning to the word “Ponding.” Last Thursday evening when Metro Manila once again turned into a miniature Water World, several friends were posting on Facebook that they were individually stuck in place for hours due to the strong rains. The highlights of the reports were those from people “trapped” on the Skyway and several “Flyover” ramps the reason for which was “PONDING.”

Yes people and their vehicles could not get off elevated roads and ramps because of “PONDING” a previously unnamed but otherwise frequent occurrence when flash floods create ponds of water that are temporarily impassable. But it was only last Thursday when PONDING was so wide spread that it effectively trapped people on Tollways and off ramps. What it teaches us is we can build all the expressways and toll roads that we want but unless we clear the roads and canals at grade level we will move faster but still go nowhere. What it also reveals is that the MMDA Chairman and his posse are probably better at hosting Film Festivals but clearly have too much money for flood control and traffic law enforcement considering what they have to show for it. Yes Mr. Chairman you have great PR skills, but PR does not eliminate “PONDING” and endless radio interviews might get you on a Senatorial wish list but it does not improve the lousy traffic management record of the MMDA.

In the meantime, it does not help the agency or your credibility to suddenly focus on Earthquake drills when people can’t even get home or out of Metro Manila because of PONDING and traffic jams. You undoubtedly have a skill of throwing distractions to radio reporters every time an issue pins you to the wall, such as threatening to confiscate loud horns from trucks, buses and jeepneys or selling several thousand plates and washing your hands of the responsibility to pursue violators and “jumpers.” But the truth of the matter is it’s all talk. Last Saturday we could hear the bus horns deep inside Mega Mall several months after you said you’d confiscate them. Now you have craftily pinned the attention of poor NEWS starved reporters by spinning your ideas about melting plate numbers and making garbage cans. That sir is low and amateur especially for your caliber. The Metro and its residents have more pressing needs and talking about plate numbers qualifies as pathetic. You don’t need to come up with super fantastic ideas, all you need to do is DELIVER and stand by your word. In fairness, you said you ordered 200 enforcers for the night shift. To see is to believe.

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After fellow Columnists Boo Chanco and Jarius Bondoc pointed out the “8.45” Billion pesos loss or disadvantage to the government if the Cavite – Laguna Expressway is decided by the DPWH on a typographical error, word on the grapevine is that the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the DPWH has exercised its option to CLARIFY the point of contention in the bid offer of San Miguel Corporation.

In his June 23 GOTCHA column, Jarius Bondoc narrated what happened:

“Four conglomerates had submitted premium offers for the project. On June 11, two days before bid opening, DPWH disqualified giant San Miguel Corp.’s construction unit for a defective submission. The validity of SMC’s security supposedly was four days short of the required 180 days. SMC’s bankroller ANZ previously had certified that its bond was from June 2 to Nov. 29,2014, a full 180 days, and not the mistyped Nov. 25.”

When competitors learned about the typo, they quickly pressed the BAC to disqualify SMC and in the desire of the DPWH bosses to assert their newfound image of integrity and trust they quickly pushed for SMC’s disqualification. In the heat of the moment where a DPWH official was even cited as raising “her” voice at the SMC contingent, it seems that people forgot that in terms of public bids and legal documents, courts of law are more careful and intentional not just about letters but spirit and intent. It also so happens that when ANZ’s cover letter or submission was made the very first time that the bank mentioned dates and numbers, the data had been written both in letters and figures (just like in checkbooks) thereby clearly establishing matters. It was only in a succeeding page when the typo from 29 to 25 occurred numerically. If the matter ever goes to court, chances are the ANZ document will pass muster.

I surmise that once everybody had gone home for the weekend, people in the BAC must have realized that it would be both prudent and fair to exercise their option and their right to ask for clarifications from the parties involved. This may have saved everybody including the public and the government not just an 8.45 Billion peso loss, because a flood of court cases would have placed the project in limbo, placed government officials under duress and without doubt all of us; the public and the government would have been in a No Win situation.

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Yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised to see an unexpected “PNP Check Point” under the C-5 where we U-turn to Pasig Blvd. This is clearly part of the renewed efforts of the PNP to follow the President’s orders to bring back Peace and Order to the streets.

The problem was the cops were chit-chatting amongst themselves hardly noticing near collisions or some vehicles suddenly avoiding their location by cutting through the lane. Perhaps there should be a rule amongst cops that they are not allowed to be in groups, texting or sitting in their mobile cars. It might make a difference if they’re spread out so they can signal others for suspects.

Just a thought for the people in charge: Why should there be several television sets in police precincts? If it’s not blistering hot as in summer, why should police precincts be air conditioned resulting in almost sound proof police precincts where cops can’t hear what’s going on outside? I’m not anti cop but from the many precincts I’ve been studying informally, they are almost like in isolation. And who is paying for all those millions of pesos in electricity bills?  Sometimes even cops need to be given perspective.