Patience, equanimity, fortitude. These are the traits that all of us who live and work in Metro Manila should have aplenty in this season of joy and merriment. Because there is nothing that quite approximates the ultimate challenge to our composure than the infernal traffic gridlocks that we — commuters and motorists alike — are forced to suffer these days.
It is so easy to lash out at the government for this admittedly insufferable state of near immobility in practically most of the hours that we need to be on the road, especially during the holiday season. But reason should tell us that this is really an unfair attitude to take. Consider for instance, the report that for this month, some 40,000 more vehicles have been added to the usual number of cars, vans and trucks that ply the roads of the metropolis. Skyways and overpasses take up the same road space over which they are built, actually adding scant little area for vehicles.
Apart from those brought to the metropolis by families who have decided to spend the holidays here, this number includes, of course, the increase in the number of vehicles sold by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI). And they continue to entice the market with new models at varying prices that they introduce every year.
The question is, how do you accommodate all these additional vehicles, including the now affordable motorcycles in the very constricted space of our cities? There is absolutely no area to expand the existing road networks. Unless you banish to the provinces all the people whom French-Algerian writer and philosopher Frantz Fanon calls “the wretched of the earth” and whom we conveniently label with the supposedly politically correct term of “informal settlers.” Thereafter, the government can convert their communities into additional thoroughfares for the convenience of the rich and the privileged.
But such a move would surely bring upon our heads the wrath of the people, and the probable violence that it would generate from those who still prefer the resort to armed struggle to effect social change.
Thankfully, there are many other sober and common-sense approaches in solving our traffic problems, even if only for the short term, and until we can formulate more permanent solutions.
At the forefront of a determined effort to bring relief to motorists and the riding public are government agencies led by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways. Local government units have pledged assistance in carrying out these remedies.
Theirs are not really earth-shaking solutions, but simple, creative means like adjusting shopping hours of malls and commercial centers to 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., a move that carried the full support and cooperation of mall owners and operators. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the new shopping hours will be in effect for the entire holiday season, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
A complementary measure is the decision of the MMDA to extend the operating hours of the Pasig River ferry boats by starting the service an hour earlier, to 5 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. For the sake of those who want to attend the traditional Simbang Gabi, the service is stretched earlier to 4 a.m. from Dec. 16 to 24.
To further ease traffic, both the MMDA and the DPWH have also agreed to suspend road re-blocking from Dec. 15 and road repairs from Dec. 5, both of which will last up to Jan. 5 next year. The only exceptions are those that involve flagship projects of the DPWH, expressway projects, and emergency repairs of leaks and broken pipes of water utility firms.
In addition to ensuring heightened visibility of its constables during the Christmas holidays, the MMDA is also fielding 10 traffic enforcers, to be assisted by policemen, in all major malls along EDSA. The adoption of bicycle lanes is expected to further ease traffic congestion by preventing these from straying into the areas used by four-wheeled vehicles.
There are several other steps being taken by the MMDA and the DPWH to solve the traffic problem in more substantial ways. And all of us can contribute by observing discipline on the road. We need to realize and accept that things will remain pretty much the same for some time until we can somehow decongest Metro Manila by moving people and businesses to the provinces.
Or probably, we can see the realization of the day when the benefits of technology and the age of computers will allow people to work and do business at home – as foreseen by author and futurist Alivn Toffler in his works on digital revolution and communications revolution.
Until then, we need to keep our cool and keep road rage in check in spite of the tremendous stress we encounter from day to day. Merry Christmas!
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The jingles have been heard ringing since early September. The malls are decked with blinking lights and décor. Windows are sporting exquisitely beautiful lanterns, and public market stores and weekend tiangges simpler parols made of cellophane and bamboo frames. Us matrons have dug deep into cabinets for age-old balls and trinkets and strings of spaghetti (as my nephew calls them) to be hung on the tree. And a significant celebration is the holding of the simbang gabi, which began yesterday. Like in the old days, the faithful are now slowly walking to church in the early morning hours to attend mass and listen to the inspiring words of priests and bishops about the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ and how our celebrations should focus on spiritual matters, and not on toys and gifts and merrymaking. And then there are the native delicacies that follow the mass outside the church — puto bumbong, bibingka, palitaw, suman, puto, kutsinta — that churchgoers relish eating for their early breakfast. That’s Christmas in the Philippines!
Talking about food, housewives are preparing the noche buena and the Christmas day menus. These feasts bring families together; food is always a uniter. The ubiquitious lechon, turkey, honey-glazed ham – are usually served on these occasions.
Some Christmas we run out of ideas, or the energy, to prepare food for our celebrations. But not to worry, there are always our old and trusted Filipino restaurants to run to for take-out orders.
One of my favorite places is Bangus Restaurant, whose Capampangan-kind cooking draws Balikbayans and local diners even before the yuletide season. For your noche buena, take out Rellenong Bangus, Paksiw na Bangus, and non-bangus dishes like the newly introduced Pata Tim and Chicken Tim, plus Chicken Relleno and Bulalo (wow, my mouth’s watering as I write this). The desserts are really memorable — Tibok-tibok (the restaurant’s version of Maja Blanca), Haleyang Ube, Leche Flan and Palitaw.
You must order, too, from everyone’s favorite, Aristocrat Restaurant, for its famous mechado.
So many of our friends have turned entrepreneurial this season. Educator Charito Cruz and her daughters are baking and selling lemon bars and revel bars, apple crumble bars, classic biscotti, and premium carrot cake. Place your orders at least two days ahead; call 0919-584-5248.
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My email:dominitorrevillas@gmail.com