SIXTH District Provincial Board Member Glenn Anthony Soco is very much concerned about the traffic situation on the national highways in the province. That is why he sponsored ordinances to free the highways of obstructions. I will suggest to him to sponsor an ordinance banning streetdancing and fiesta-related activities such as parades and religious processions that are usually held on the national highways. These activities really hamper the flow of traffic, especially if the host town or barangay has no alternative routes.
It is part of our culture that during fiestas or any special day for the barangay or town like a founding anniversary and other significant occasions we hold activities to commemorate their significance. Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia wants to highlight local activities like festivals to showcase the local delicacies of the towns. Schools also hold their own activities and they usually hold these not in their respective school grounds but on the highways, which disturb the flow of traffic.
There is need for a legislation to regulate such activities on the national highways as these cause heavy traffic. Besides, these kinds of activities also jeopardize the safety and pose a danger to the participants, especially schoolchildren, as vehicles are still allowed to ply the national highway vis-a-vis the activity. Traffic enforcers and other marshals cannot cope with the volume of traffic. The host local government unit (LGU) cannot also close the street because there are no alternative routes.
It is really a headache for motorists when we encounter this kind of situation. The LGUs concerned cannot just also disregard or refuse any request for permits as this is already part of our culture and tradition. But our LGUs can regulate it. That is why I am asking PB Member Soco to study this aspect and come up with legislation to regulate these kind of activities on our national highways. Are we going to completely ban these kinds of activities? The “ball” is in your hands, Mr. Soco. Either you will shoot it or dribble it.
Aimed at freeing our highways of obstructions so as not to disturb the flow of traffic, Soco sponsored two ordinances to this effect. Approved during last Monday’s session was Soco’s first ordinance, the “Fender Bender for Minor Accidents Ordinance of 2019,” which mandates drivers of vehicles who figure in minor accidents to take pictures and videos using their own cameras and smartphones at the site of the incident.
With this, the drivers can pull out their vehicles immediately without waiting for the police traffic investigator from a faraway town. I don’t know if insurance companies will accept this without a police report. So, this is just a reminder to all motorists who wish to travel to the province. Be sure you bring your camera with you and your cellular phones should be upgraded to smartphones so you can take pictures and videos just in case you figure in an accident. Or else you will be penalized.
The second “crazy” ordinance of Soco that is pending for third and final reading is the “Due Diligence Ordinance.” This ordinance requires all vehicles to be on a tip-top condition and roadworthy all the time. Soco wants all vehicles traveling in the province to be brand new and to be in condition all the time because if you encounter a mechanical defect or suffer an engine breakdown, you have to pull your vehicle aside in just a matter of five minutes or else you will be fined. Ginadili motirik ang sakyanan sa tunga sa dalan.
I am challenging Soco to push a 10-wheeler truck, a hauler full of limestone or a passenger bus alone. Let’s see if he can do it in five minutes. What does he think of all the drivers? Superman?