Where’s the goodwill there?

Even though there are still a lot of people spreading and talking about Christmas cheer, the P-Noy misadministration certainly burned whatever goodwill they claimed to have for mass transit commuters in Metro Manila by announcing a huge fare increase. They also ruined the Christmas noche buena for southbound travellers who got stuck in Tagkawayan, Quezon because of a DPWH road reblocking and people-delaying project. That of course does not mention the absence of traffic enforcers and local government officials who failed to clear localized traffic obstructions in many parts of Metro Manila, particularly in Quezon City, where the city government failed or abandoned their responsibility to manage the area in front of Balintawak market and the many bus stations along EDSA.

While all that was going on, hundreds of domestic airline passengers were callously subjected to hour-long delays or outright flight cancellations without a single reprimand coming from the CAB (Civil Aeronautics Board), the DOTC, DTI, or Malacañang aimed at the abuses and incompetence of airline managers who would not even face their customers. This is a clear manifestation of the “You have no choice but us” arrogance of airline owners and executives. According to news reports the average delays were up to 25 to 30% of total number of flights! In any private corporation someone would either be fired or suspended. In the Philippines, they get praised and protected.

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It is certainly very challenging trying to put a positive note or justification to the announced MRT/LRT fare hikes starting January, especially because of its deceitful timing, when people are too busy and too harassed preparing for “the one time good time of the year.” Many critics have termed the timing as “pa traidor” or in a treacherous manner where no one, not even Congress or consumer groups could act against it. The last time I recall such treacherous timing was when Marcos arrested his enemies and then announced Martial Law after the fact. Yes I’m sure the comparison will sting residents in Malacañang but that is nothing compared to the pain they will be inflicting on the pockets, minds and stomachs of daily wage earners who can’t even make ends meet thanks to the overly taxed goods and now overpriced services. According to estimates the total cost for a laborer taking the MRT will be equivalent to one working day’s wage.

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Given how bizarre the administration addresses its problems and challenges, the whopping fare increase is probably their solution to reduce or slow down the deterioration of the MRT/LRT tracks and systems. Since the trains are falling apart due to wear and tear because they are overloaded, and because critics have been complaining about congestions and long lines, their solution is to reduce passengers by increasing fares. The fare hike will certainly cause a reduction in passenger volume, shorter lines, less load, wear and tear of the mass transit system.

It’s really an ingenious way of solving problems. For instance, look at how they simplified the management nightmare expected when Pope Francis comes to the Philippines by declaring a very long holiday! In most countries, the government would be putting in all their resources and expertise to manage the event and show their capabilities. Under the P-Noy government they simply tell everyone: You can’t fly around NAIA so cancel your bookings, you can’t drive around the Manila International Airport Complex, so stay away, and because you have a five-day-long official holiday, just get out of town or find some sideline ahead of time in order to feed your family as a daily wage earner! I bet you they will even attempt to juice this for good PR as their way of support for the Papal visit. I’m curious what sleight of hand they’ll pull to explain the government’s position on the RH bill or why people still live in foreign donated tents one year and two months after Typhoon Yolanda.

If you think I’m crazy and still don’t believe this observation, go over to the Pasig River and check out the status of the formerly functioning and useful Pasig River ferry that was privately run, until geniuses in the P-Noy misadministration declared the arrangement unfavorable. Not only did they succeed in shutting down the vital transport facility, they actually replaced it with 2 tugboats with plastic benches. At the very least the MMDA actually remedied the disaster created by legal experts in the P-Noy administration.

Want more? just paddle a few kilometers down river until you get to the port area that was described as the Sodom and Gomorrah of corruption. Two Customs Commissioners later, the administration has managed to reduce corruption and has also managed to reduce the flow of goods, exports and strangled import based businesses. After several investigations, meetings and a lot of publicity the ports remain constipated, with only a 10% improvement in flow while resulting in billions of pesos in lost revenues to importers and businessmen. At least they managed to strike fear in the hearts of smugglers and tax evaders. In fact they were so effective they have now put fear and sleepless nights in the lives of businessmen who are looking to migrating their operations regionally when ASEAN integration gets off the ground next year.

Who knows, that might help solve the government’s argument with taxpayers who want cuts on the EVAT, bonus payments, and personal income tax. If companies migrate, many of the dissatisfied Filipinos clamoring for tax cuts will automatically be out of jobs and won’t have to worry about paying taxes and will stop complaining. Problem solved.

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