E-payments for fines

My dear wife Karen recently came up with the great idea that traffic fines and similar penalties should be settled through E-payments instead people having to go to congested government offices where you could get COVID-19 while wasting half a day in long lines, especially when you are a tourist in unfamiliar territory.

During our recent trip to Baguio City, the ladies in our group decided to visit a local tourism destination and took one car for themselves. Half-way to their destination, they were stopped by a traffic enforcer near the Baguio City Market and were told that they had violated the local number coding law. Being tourists or visitors to the city, the three ladies pleaded for some consideration because as tourists, they were not aware of the fact and that in Metro Manila the number coding rule is in force between 5 pm and 8 pm. They also pointed out that as tourists, they are helping the city’s economy. However, no logic or charm worked on Enforcer Constantino, who stood his ground even after re-enforcements or the husbands came to the rescue. Apparently, the fear of “Magalong” and the city’s monitoring system where they had eyes and ears and radios on the ground essentially made any delay in the arrests and issuance of citations cause for immediate challenge by monitors.

In the end, the driver along with Enforcer Constantino along with the two-car entourage drove to the local police precinct located at the rotunda on top of Session Road, where other apprehended drivers parked their vehicles, effectively reducing the road space. Locals are obviously aware and observant of the number coding rule because most of those apprehended were tourists caught unawares but “glad” that the fine was only P500 and that they could immediately retrieve their licenses. Back in the cars, the 30-minute delay in travel plans and fear of being stuck in Baguio longer than intended stirred up quite a discussion.

The “tourists” unilaterally agreed they were being unfairly punished given that there was no mention of the number coding rule when they applied for their Safe Pass or QR code. There were no signs along the major entrances to the city informing motorists that number coding was in force and what happens to ignorant motorists who drive up with vehicles that turn out to be coded on the day they enter? Will they then have to wait outside city limits until after 7 pm before entering? Someone also googled the matter and read about “Tourist Dispensation” where you allegedly can simply pay P500 and get off immediately. (That turned out to be fake news.)

All these are valid and worthwhile points that ALL MAYORS in cities or municipalities implementing number coding schemes and welcoming tourists should consider as they open up to visitors. But the best suggestion, which I am proud to say came from my wife Karen, was for the fine to be paid via E-Banking such as GCash, PayMaya or the like. The cashless transaction immediately does away with possible corruption or Kotong, is easily verifiable and seen on the mobile phone screen and does not require traffic enforcers to leave their area just to turn over confiscated licenses, which often requires 30 to 45 minutes round trip.

Last but not the least, paying traffic fines via GCash or PayMaya saves motorists the anxiety, delays and creating traffic congestions which is the original intent of number coding schemes. The solution is applicable in most urban and city centers, most especially in Metro Manila, and is in line with President Duterte’s past instructions for government offices to go electronic or digital.

When we shared this solution with Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, he responded positively to the idea and we do hope that the city elders would review all the solutions suggested, particularly using E-payments for fines. Maybe even the MMDA and the Metro Manila Mayors Council can do likewise.

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“Saving for a rainy day” is what saved them, as well as “giving sacrificially,” making the most of a bad situation, and “believing” that God will see them through. Put together, all of the above encapsulates the formula for survival that the management and staff of The Manor at Camp John Hay followed through nearly two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Ramon Cabrera, general manager of The Manor in the years prior to the pandemic, The Manor was enjoying all-time highs in room occupancy and during that period they prudently set aside a portion of their profits to be used for development and upgrade of personnel and facilities. What they saved ended up being the “life support” that would see their operations as well as their personnel through two of the most challenging years in the hotel’s history.

While other hotels, outlets and business in Baguio shut down or deteriorated, The Manor carried on. Managers and supervisors willingly took major pay cuts, opting to look at the long term rather than short term gains. Faced with dim possibilities, the team embarked on a two-prong strategy: Upgrade facilities and services while staging continuing training and refresher courses for staff and personnel. When struck by a typhoon that wrecked their tent covered outdoor dining, the hotel in cooperation with Chef Billy King fought back by building BIGGER and BETTER and a whole lot more impressive.

As the lockdowns stretched and bookings disappeared, Mon Cabrera and his associates had to bite the bullet and swallow their pride by introducing never before offered discounted rates and long-term stay packages. That must have felt like grabbing a double-edged knife. You drop your rates which could be seen as a desperate move and still have no guarantee that the guests would come. Well, they did and with Baguio City fully opened, people are flocking to the Manor because the quality and excellence has remained. And if you’re like me who needs dependable internet service, the Manor is subscribed with PLDT Fiber Optic Internet that other hotels did not have.

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