Tabije: Public roads should be for public use

Sunday, July 17, 2011

ANYBODY who's driving a car has surely experienced the worsening parking situation in downtown Davao City. It's now very difficult to find a vacant parking space during regular business hours. What really takes my goat is the practice of private stores and offices of blocking off vacant public streets with signs such as "reserved for ______ store" or "reserved for customers of ____ bank", etc. My question: who gave these private establishments the right to exclusive use of public streets that were constructed using taxpayers’ money?

I've experienced this unpleasant episode of being prevented from parking in front of Oroderm Clinic on Rizal Extension and Chimes-Felcris on Sales St. While I was in the act of parking in a vacant space, the security guards approached me to tell me that it's a reserved space. When I sarcastically asked the guards if their store has already bought that street space and if they can show me their land title, all I got was an apology that they were just following instructions from their employers.

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Not wanting to be embroiled in a scandalous quarrel, I just moved away.

I'm sure there are more places where this is openly practiced in the city. Calling on the city government of Davao: please ensure that private business do not allocate for their exclusive use the public roads where we are part of those who paid for their construction.

I challenge the city council to come up with a city ordinance banning this unfair and illegal practice that is akin to squatting in a government property.

The rule should be: first come, first served. No reservations for exclusive use allowed.

*****

During my recent trip to Manila, I had a very unpleasant experience when the driver of the taxi I took from my hotel in Makati to the airport demanded (emphasis: demanded, not requested) that I add P50.00 to my taxi fare. It reminded me of my young son's similar experience in Davao a few years back when the driver demanded additional payment saying, "taga Woodridge man diay ka, kaya nimo na."

In my case, I surreptitiously copied the taxi body number, the plate number and company phone number. Upon arrival at the airport I promptly called up the company to report the incident. Unfortunately, I could not give the name of the driver as there was no driver ID displayed in the car.

Calling on LTO & LTFRB: the following information should be a requirement to be clearly visible to passengers inside taxi cabs: company name, body number, plate number, name of driver, telephones numbers of the company, the LTFRB and the LTO. That way complainants can have complete data.

Advice to the riding public: If any driver forces you to pay more than what is stated in the meter, report it immediately to the company, the LTFRB and the LTO. Text all relevant information to your own cell phone so that you can remember them when you alight.

Only if we all report erring drivers will they learn to fear and start behaving properly. Furthermore, when riding a taxi at night immediately text to your parents or friends the name of the taxi company and the plate number. That way, if anything goes wrong, the erring driver can be identified immediately.

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Recommended online reading for the week: "What You Can Learn from Christopher Columbus: Leading your Team, Organization, Association or Family" -- http://is.gd/UvQ5Tn

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