THE Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) has recently requested the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) the latter's purchase and use of a helicopter, especially during emergency responses. During a meeting of the businessmen's group with the tollways company's traffic division, the said request among other suggestions was discussed and considered.
Businessman Rene Romero, PamCham's former president and now a director, emphasized the important uses of having a chopper, including the airlifting of patients during vehicular accidents. The ideas are great and the tollways company should consider the implementation of the proposal fast.
Expressways in the country are run by private toll firms unlike in other countries where freeways (that is what they are called) are mostly free and are maintained by the government. Toll firms do earn from toll fees and it's just proper that they provide services more than the motoring public deserves.
A helicopter can have many uses in this case. Aside from closed-circuit television cameras installed along the expressways, an eye in the sky is a big help in monitoring traffic situations on the whole stretch of its roads. The traffic, which technically means the flow of vehicles, can be properly observed with the use of a chopper.
During accidents, victims can be immediately airlifted if needed to be treated in hospitals, much faster than transporting them through ambulances. They can likewise find solutions for possible detours since accidents usually result in snarls and jams even on multi-lane roads.
A chopper can also be a good observation means during grassfires along the expressways. Usually, during summer or dry season, there is billowing smoke we see along the expressways. If observed by a chopper, the situation can be properly addressed to firefighting agencies nearby.
The proposal may be ambitious and costly. However, tollway firms are earning high from toll fees. Aside from using the fees exacted from motorists for road maintenance, a purchase of a helicopter is feasible.
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Now that BBM (Bongbong Marcos) is the sure president of the country soon despite his yet-to-be-proclaimed status, we can see some changes in the government. Among which is the naming of government programs and projects after the president's popular initials: BBM.
Filipinos have great ideas, too, in using acronyms, initials and other name games. It's like making something more popular at the expense of a government program or project. Presidents' nicknames or name initials such as FVR, Erap, GMA, PNoy, PRRD are often used by government agencies, perhaps to please the sitting president in such cases.
We expect to see BBM bridge, BBM streets, BBM building, etc. soon.
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