|
Friday, September 30, 2005
Roperos: Driver’s lament
By Godofredo M. Roperos
Politics Also
With the economic stress this republic is undergoing now, most if not all of those who labor to earn their daily bread are feeling the pinch.
Having to ride taxis quite frequently, I have had opportunities to talk with drivers while they negotiate the city's traffic that has been growing heavy the past few years, what with the tremendous increase in motor vehicles plying the city streets.
Lately, the drivers have almost the same gripes. I think, though, that their complaint sounds more like a lament of the fate they have fallen into these days. But I would rather not single them out since I believe those in other pursuits of livelihood may also be feeling the same way.
The other day, however, I rode in the cab of one driver who, while not really complaining about their plight, appealed for drivers to understand each other's situation.
Initially, he told us what the other drivers have been complaining about---the erratic process of gasoline pricing.
They point to the petrol companies' propensity to increase the pump price at will, and then rolling the same back for a few centavos, then increasing again a week or two after at a price much higher than the amount rolled back.
Thus, they feel always being caught by surprise, especially since the are the ones hit by the increases, not the operators.
"Labing tinuod," said Rogelio Padilla, "ang amo gud nga kinitaan maoy gisuyop sa pagtaas sa presyo sa gasolina." He noted that the recent hike in taxi fare has not really improved their earnings because of the increases in gasoline prices.
And that is where the pain lies, since their problem is how to get a little more than their basic needs.
"Unya, pun-an pa gyud sa mga traffic enforcers nga di makasabot sa atong kahimtang," he continued.
He explained that taxi drivers' daily earnings depends on the number of passengers they pick up. Sometimes, passengers hail them or disembark in most unlikely places, and when they stop for less than a minute or two they get apprehended.
"Kadiyot ra gud na kaayo, sir, pagpakanaog ug pagpick-up. Apan kon private cars gani, way violation. Kana lang sa Sacred Heart, kon mopick-up mi dinha, dakop dayon. Apan tan-awa kon tingpamuhi na sa mga bata, moparking dinha private cars bisag pila pa ka sapao ok lang sa mga Citom. Duha lagi klase sa balaod, sir, sa mga pobre ug sa mga dato. Apan ang mga pobre, sir, mao gyud unta ang paboran tungod kay para gud na sa panginabuhi sa pamilya. Nahitabo na nako bag-o lang, sir, sa Liloan...”
And he narrated to me how he ferried a passenger to Barangay Catarman. He said he forced himself to take the passenger even though that would mean a loss as he did not have any assurance of getting another passenger back to the city.
But as luck would have it, the passenger, who came from the Perpetual Succor Hospital, gave him a little extra fee. Unfortunately, when a passenger hailed him in front of the town plaza, he was apprehended for traffic violation and fined.
"Mao na, sir, wa gyuy lain didto nga ma-obstruct nako. Nagpakiluoy ko, apan wa gyud tawon maminaw sa akong hangyo. Imbis mabuhi-buhi na unta ko atong adlawa, nisamot na nuon ug kapurdoy. Ambot, kon motaas pa gyud ang gasolina, mohunong na lang seguro ko ug drive." Rogelio said in parting.
And that thought is shared by many others.
(September 30, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
