IT’S just but normal nowadays for every Juan to object and complain about something. In the workplace, it is very common for some Juan newly promoted to be given a hard time by those below him. Surely, it was not the same when they were together as colleagues and peers. It was always fun I’m sure, not until Juan is on top and the camaraderie fades.
This is always the case when there is someone new to the position. A position that is higher and requires a different skill set towards those under that person. It is just normal for the new guy to have a difficult time getting things across.
In the police organization where I help out, the usual complaint of the higher up over those in his command is, resistance to change. It is so common that I always have to ask why, apparently it is always perceived to be that way with whoever is above them. Remember that in the police the assignment can come anytime and with anybody. As a police there’s no choice from those down below.
Lucky for the many to have a boss who understands. Better too for an organization if the new boss is Juan who easily adjusts to what is. However it is highly unlikely that this happens. Even in politics those in the different offices have their own biases. And in most cases their biases will play out to some Juan they may not like, yet.
I take for example the plan of the mayor to close for pedestrianization the main thoroughfare of the city, Session Road. It is always a brilliant idea wanted by every Juan. However when the thought comes there is always some restriction to why it can’t be.
Time was when a proposal for it to be closed on weekends. Then something comes along and it will only be on Sundays. Then eventually one lane and just a half closure. Then it all ends. Back to the usual. It was mostly difficult from stakeholders of the same road. They would oppose anything, and for any reason. Their reason is their business.
They have failed to understand that by closing a road and just like any other place, business is always better. Foot traffic is better always for business. Same concept like the malls nowadays. Just check out the expressways today. It is always full with people and business is good. Because people are forced to stop.
It was perceived by those with business in Session Road that by closing it every Juan with go to the mall. I honestly think not. If by closing the road more people will eventually cater to the same road and avoid getting to the mall with the same concept. However unlike the mall there is parking. For Session Road I would like to believe that that should be first addressed.
By allowing parking in a nearby place I can surely say that every Juan will enjoy any road closure where ever it will be. It is just the same with the night market by Harrison Road. If people can park then it will thrive. That is exactly what business in Session Road will always tell me then. Glad to not allow reserved parking in front of businesses. But for a long time ago that was how it was. There was reserved parking in front of establishments. Not anymore. I would recall many who would come to the office and asked that they reserve parking for themselves or customers. I did not allow it.
That is also the main reason at that time why the parking contract had resistance from the businesses in the same area. They would always complain that business is slow because every Juan avoids paying for parking but will instead go to the mall and still pay for parking. I just don’t get that type of logic. They just resist any thing.
It is always the stance of those in authority to bring change, especially when it is a breath of fresh air. Something new has to happen. But as to how it can be implemented it will always find some resistance.
My take is to also resist it too. And just do what has to be done. It surely will receive some resistance, and that is just but normal. I would however like to stress that the majority is always on the side of change. Not every Juan has a car to park, many just walk that’s why it was always the plan to pedestrianize.
Allow me to mention that by “experimenting” something will surely come out of it. Be it in the positive or negative it is always better to experiment. Only when the experiment ends will all things be taken into consideration. Surely by that time the City Council will be aware of what should be. But I would like to think that by experimenting on things there will always be certain adjustments. That is why it is an experiment. Simple as that.
Another idea is for the Mayor to coordinate with DPWH and implement what it can. Session Road is a National Road. Jurisdiction lies in the agency’s hands. Time was when I wanted to ask for the road as a city road instead. It was the heart of the city. However I learned that there would be so many complications.
Many of us were disappointed at how a suspension was suspended and that was for Session Road. Remember that in a Sunday it is always light in Session Road. There always has to be an option for every Juan to not just go to the mall. Session Road is always the answer. I may be no Juan but I would like to believe that it is ok to just do it. I will also complain anyway for it not happening.
Just do it. It will make sense eventually. Leave the council later on to get the pros and cons of it, that’s their job anyway. It will also keep them busy and not allow them to think of some none sense legislation. It will keep them at bay. But for now just have that resist stance.