Monday, August 27, 2007 Online views: Solving traffic woes
(Opinion culled from the feedback of readers of Sun.Star website at www.sunstar.com.ph)
Below are views of readers of the Sun.Star website at www.sunstar.com.ph on the Banilad-Talamban traffic situation.
“WHY do we keep listening to the city officials’ solutions to the traffic problem in Banilad? They want to widen the road? They can’t even get a sidewalk along the road, how much more for another lane? Besides the City has no money, what are these officials doing? The only official with money to spend is Raul del Mar and he has a project in mind. Let him do it as he has a plan, even though some say it is temporary, but he has a solution and the ability to get it done now. Let Mike Rama develop his solution, get the money, and then we will listen. Enough is enough let us do something!” -– Jess (jess_rumblin@yahoo.com)
“Why don’t they construct the Ban-Tal (Banilad-Talamban) flyover only at nighttime, say 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to avoid traffic congestion and inconvenience? The real traffic culprits though are the undisciplined PUJ and taxi drivers who make stops at any part of the road as if they own it. Government should seriously impose discipline on these drivers. The problem is we lack seriousness in enforcing traffic rules and regulations. Example, the corner of Jones and P. Del Rosario, jeepneys slow drive, meaning the drivers don’t drive forward even when the light is green but they drive slowly so they can stop when the red signal comes up and then they can pick up passengers who cross the street. In the Robinson’s Fuente area, the same thing happens, not only jeepneys stop there to pick up passengers but pedestrians are crossing the street instead of using the skywalk. Same is true in the Ramos St. area in front of Abuhan. The same thing is happening anywhere in the metropolis. If we only implement laws strictly, maybe and only maybe, we can change the culture of our drivers and pedestrians so that they become more socially responsible. I think we don’t have the right to call our place the best city in the nation if we cannot even implement simple traffic rules with regularity and consistency.” -- Emir John (emirjohn2000@yahoo.com)
“At last we are glad to learn that plans are in the offing to improve that intersection of Gov. Mariano Cuenco Ave. (now it has a name) and A.S. Fortuna St. But why was there a campaign and lobby to block the construction through those groups mentioned who would most benefit from the proposal? Just a minute! Does it mean that the parties involved have not come together and consider a holistic approach and solution? For example, why is there a deadline already when it is only now that the public has come to know about this plan? What is the plan of the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), why an alternative plan of the City (meaning a different plan) and why not instead, a merger or reconciliation of these plans starting from the bridge at Country Mall up to Pit-os? This is a grandiose plan, but which does not have to be implemented immediately, but the areas to be affected should already be definitively identified now. It is a cooperative endeavor. It may even involve personal sacrifices of lot owners or through eminent domain proceedings, including the City and Provincial authority. But none should stand in the way toward its realization” -- Felino M. Garlitos (felino_garlitos@yahoo.com)
