No system, no control

What were some DOTr advisers thinking when they recommended to Secretary Jimmy Bautista that the EDSA Bus Lane be redesigned to counterflow so that non-buses will stop entering the lane? If the President of the Philippines can finally outlaw POGO in the Philippines by simply signing a piece of legislation, why can’t the DOTr, the MMDA, the LTO or the DPWH declare that the BUS LANE IS FOR BUSES ONLY!

Instead of whining for the return of the No Contact Apprehension policy that was abused by different traffic bureaus all over Metro Manila, Malacañang should call the attention of the MMDA for their lack of presence in key traffic hot zones of Metro Manila.

Secretary Jimmy Bautista should also call in his LTO chief regarding the return of modified exhaust pipes on jeepneys, motorcycles pretending to be big bikes as well as tricycles. If Sec. Jimmy consulted with his friends who still go walking or jogging, I’m sure they can all attest to the noise pollution that has returned with the new administration.

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Many Filipinos undoubtedly benefit from the discounts provided by their Senior Citizen cards as well as those who legitimately have a PWD or Person With Disability card. Unfortunately, as one of our readers asked, “What is the definition of ‘Disability’?”

After writing about fake PWD cards being sold for P3,000 a piece, no questions asked, readers have started to share their personal knowledge on the matter. One of them shared how two people she knew had legitimate PWD cards due to their rare conditions (joke) – ADHD and the other had a hysterectomy!!!

Even sadder is to discover that some people who are two or three times wealthier actually acquired PWD cards simply because someone offered or suggested it would be very useful during travels or buying medicines or food.

I also saw an interview conducted by Alvin Elchico on YouTube where the leader of a group of restaurant owners shared the time when a gentleman wearing an airline pilot’s uniform ate at a restaurant and had the audacity to ask for a discount based on his PWD card.

Based on general knowledge you don’t get your “wings” or pilot’s license if you have an actual disability, they challenged the person, who sheepishly paid the bill in full and left.

So clearly the government and lawmakers need to revisit the PWD law as well as the Senior Citizens law or card system and go through every provision and new complications that have cropped up ever since these “laws with disability” were crafted. Legislators and LGUs should do a better job of reviewing such programs annually in order to fine tune them and prevent abuse and confusion.

For instance, I was told of a case or legal complaint filed in Quezon City involving a Chinese national who has a “Philippine PWD card.” The Chinese was allegedly offered the card as an extra “National ID” required by certain banks and business establishments.

This is a common occurrence and an option some foreigners take advantage of in order to cope with the hurdles of living or doing business in the Philippines. It is another matter that requires due diligence on the part of government and legislators.

Many of us think that in order to get a PWD card, you must first undergo an actual medical examination by a specialist on the particular disability to qualify you as “Disabled.” So, what physical or mental disability warrants a person to be given a discount, why and how much exactly is the discount?

Mind you, I am not against the PWD discount. I can prove at least three disabilities that would make me a card-carrying-PWD, but I choose not to take away from those who need help more, and besides, I am well able to get around and don’t consider myself disabled. But the “system,” if there is any, is full of holes and loopholes, is poorly regulated and out of control.

In the case of the PWD card-carrying Chinese national, the complainant claims that the PWD card had been used multiple times at various stores and food outlets. So now, we have to define “disability” and clarify “nationality” or immigration status because there are foreigners in our midst who have married Filipinos or Filipinas.

They are long-term or permanent residents or investors. A number are legal dependents by marriage. Others have invested large sums of money in order to be permanent residents or investors eventually marrying and residing full time in the country. A big number are elderly retirees who are advanced in age.

Under the context of compassion or assimilation they would be similar to “Green Card” holders who get basic benefits from the US government.

I don’t want to beat a dead horse, so I’ll close by saying that the PWD and Senior Citizen cards and discount system are good, but they are hurting small businesses and the government is perpetuating a lie that refunds and reimbursements are being given to business owners.

The spirit of the laws have to be clarified, the beneficiaries identified and a system designed to address the thousands of little details overlooked in trying to fast track a law full of good intentions that is now creating havoc, enmity and hurting businesses.

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