Update on our petition - Aug 21, 2019 (update #3)

Hi All,

This update is similar to the previous update I made last Aug 19 but has more details.  I also added some other things regarding my views which are all related to the traffic issue.  This was also posted in the various commuter oriented online groups in Facebook which I joined.  Here it is:

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In the “State of the Nation” show of Ms. Jessica Soho last August 19, 2019 MMDA Traffic Chief Bong Nebrija gave their reply to my petition calling for more lane(s) for public utility vehicles in EDSA.  I had no chance to reply to his statements on TV, so I’ll just reply here.

Here is my reply to his statements:

Mr. Nebrija: We are in favor of giving additional lanes.

Reply: If this is the case, then let’s give it a try.  The agency can show honesty and sincerity with this statement by giving it a try and letting the public experience this solution.  We have tried countless tests or dry runs which limit the buses.  Why don’t we give the ‘additional bus lane proposal’ a try and limit the private cars this time?

Mr. Nebrija: The problem is discipline.

Reply: Discipline is a problem in any aspect, not just in traffic.  If the problem is discipline, we need MMDA and the law enforcers to enforce the policies (redundant?).  We need MMDA to be consistent in implementing the laws and in apprehending those who have violations.  We are wondering why violations keep being committed.  This can be seen on TV so we hope MMDA knows about this.  With the number of violations being committed, MMDA (or the traffic enforcement agencies) would really be able to collect a lot of money with the fines.

Mr. Nebrija: What if the buses unload in flyovers or underpasses?

Reply:  The passengers would have to know if the bus will go to a flyover or an underpass before he rides it.  They should only ride the bus if they know it will go to an area where they could get off.  Besides, unloading in a flyover or an underpass is illegal.  The driver should know they will (or should be) apprehended.

Mr. Nebrija: Where are we heading (given these problems)?

Reply:  This question is something that must not be asked by MMDA.  It is something they should answer.  They should have a vision.  We need (1) a system that favors the majority (not the privileged few) and (2) discipline to implement the laws.  This way, we lead the people to the direction we want to lead them.

Mr. Nebrija: Before we add a third lane, bus drivers should have an exam again.

Reply: This may not be highly related to the additional lane.  Anyway, let’s not pass the ball to LTO.  If a driver has a license but commits a violation, it becomes the duty of the MMDA or the traffic enforcers to educate him and discipline him by apprehending him.  Discipline must start from everyone.  But if person keeps doing a violation, we expect him to learn and be disciplined if he is apprehended for his violations.  The key is not to blame anyone or use “lack of discipline” as an excuse but to strictly, faithfully and consistently implement the law.

MMDA (according to news reporter Athena Imperial): The public buses go out to the third lane and then swerve back in.

Reply: Again, this is an issue of law enforcement.  If the MMDA knows about this, they should be addressing it by apprehending the violators.  Another option is to put barriers to segregate buses from the private car owners (similar to what we do during APEC or big events). This way, the segregation of private cars and buses will be clear, and probably easier to maintain.

MMDA (according to news reporter Athena Imperial): The yellow lane is not an experiment.  It has been existing since the time of the former Chairman Bayani Fernando.  They just strictly implemented it.  They are “requesting” the bus drivers to stay in the yellow lane.

Reply: We are not saying the yellow lane policy is a new policy.  It is the MMDA which is saying they simply enforced the policy.  It's an admission therefore that they have not been implementing the existing laws.  You are not supposed to appear kind and to “request” the bus drivers to stay in the yellow lane.  You are tasked to keep them there.  It is your job, your duty.   For me, this is a disease we have to cure.  Why do we not strictly, faithfully and consistently implement the laws?  This is why there are always illegally parked cars (as observed by Sen. Sotto).  This is why there are illegal vendors on the sidewalks.  This is why there are jaywalkers.  This is why there are private cars that stay in the yellow lane.  This is why there are bus drivers who swerve. This emboldens them to violate the law and make them undisciplined.  No, the experiment is not the yellow lane.  That is not what they tried.  The experiment is this: “What if we (the MMDA) implement the law?”  This is what caught everybody by surprise.  Suddenly MMDA is implementing the law.

Personally, I am asking the MMDA to implement the law.  Not just the yellow lane, but the common laws we should be observing every day.  No illegal parking.  No loading in no loading areas (repetitive?).  No swerving.  It’s not enough that we put signage and billboards. Let’s strictly, faithfully and consistently implement the law.  That is how we instill discipline.

To the citizens, it may even be good if we can have a portal or a site (if we don’t have one yet) where we could post pictures, videos or any proof of an enforcer not doing his duty (such as, but not limited to, the examples below):

·         allowing cars to pass the yellow lane without apprehending them

·         allowing bus lanes to pick up passengers in a no loading zone

·         seeing jaywalkers (including vendors) but not apprehending them

This way, his superiors may know of his inaction and be penalized.  The people need to know MMDA and all law enforcers that we are watching them.  This is our duty.  Their salaries come from us.  If they don’t do their jobs, they still get paid but it is we who suffer.

Before I end, I wish to clarify that the additional lane is not the only solution I am pushing for. I support any or all of these, if they could be implemented:

·         Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

·         Yellow lane reversal – in this system, the private cars stay in the yellow lanes (max of 2 lanes).  The buses would stay in the inner most lane (near the MRT).  This will allow private cars to turn right at intersections without the buses blocking them. Buses most of the time go along EDSA. The concern here is how the passengers can get to the buses from the sidewalks.  Maybe we’ll need overpasses, loading bays, etc.

·         Elevated walkways – as proposed by Sen. Zubiri

·         Reuse of Pasig River – as proposed by Sen. Binay

·         Decentralization – as proposed by Sen. Sotto and many others

·         Construction of more roads – as already is being done

·         Improvement of the trains and the addition of train lines

·         Removal of illegal parked cars in secondary roads to make the private car owners use them – as proposed by Sen. Sotto

o   Note: Private car owners have this option to use inner streets; buses don’t. So this is encouraged for private car owners.  This is also a call to the attention of the MMDA and the city governments.  Sen. Sotto noticed illegally parked cars.  If this is the case, is this again an example of (1) lack of discipline and, more importantly, (2) the government’s failure to implement laws, or both?  If illegally parked cars are towed (i.e., if this law is implemented), there would have been no need for Sen. Gatchalian to propose the “Proof of Parking Bill”.  In fact, that would again be useless if a buyer submits a proof of parking (whether fake or real), and everyone else still parks their cars outside but they are not towed.  Eventually, he may park his car outside as well and use his garage for something else.  If towing is hard to implement, maybe the “Proof of Parking” will even be harder.  It will only cost the Senate more time to deliberate on it, and it will even be an additional requirement or burden.

My proposal for an additional bus lane(s) is mainly for the immediate relief of the commuters who suffer from the injustice in EDSA. If it works well, maybe we can keep that policy.

Lastly, I wish to reiterate that we really need these two things to succeed: “Sistema” at “Disiplina”.  Sistema para maayos ang injustice sa EDSA (where the private cars are prioritized) at disiplina para ma-enforce ang mga patakaran (walang lagayan, walang enforcers na hindi nanghuhuli ng violation, etc). Kailangan po itong dalawa, hindi isa lang.  Sa ganitong paraan po lamang mare-resolba o maiibsan ang malalang problema sa EDSA. Maraming salamat po.