Good morning, Sec Paje

Yesterday was probably one of the worst air pollution levels in Metro Manila, with so many people waking up to a choking feeling. We can’t help but wonder where Environment Secretary Mon Paje was coming from when he announced that the air quality in Metro Manila has become cleaner and that pollution levels are getting lower, claiming a decline of over 21 percent. We contacted an air pollution expert with an air quality measuring equipment and he told us that the air pollution in Metro Manila continues to be way above accepted standards. He says that air pollution comes in varying degrees, going as much as 1,000 times higher than normal levels particularly along EDSA.

Mr. Paje credits this “success” to collaboration with the private sector as well as an intensified information drive. But as they say, the nose knows – with people having to cope with watery and irritated noses due to repeated sneezing compounded by coughing, shortness of breath and an uncomfortable constriction in the chest.

A major source of air pollution in the metropolis comes from vehicle emissions, with jeeps, taxis and buses spreading their poison out into the streets. It’s very obvious that the number of vehicles plying the roads have increased tremendously especially at this time, with people starting to shop for gifts as the Christmas season draws near.  Anyone exposed to the air in Metro Manila can readily see and feel that the air is far from improving.

The irony of it all is that no less than Sec. Paje’s boss himself can attest to the fact that the air quality in Metro Manila is as bad as it can get. The allergic rhinitis of President Noy has kicked in, which was obviously triggered by pollution.

We can’t help but ask the good Environment Secretary where he gets his information. Just wake up at 6 a.m. and you’ll see the pollution at its worse. Good Morning, Secretary!

Metro Manila traffic worsening

It’s only the third week of November but areas located near huge shopping malls are experiencing an unusual surge in traffic because of the people who want to take advantage of promos and sales, plus the fact that many also want an early start on their Christmas shopping precisely to avoid the last-minute rush. But while people have become used to the slow pace of vehicles along major thoroughfares like EDSA and C5, yesterday was probably one of the worst for drivers and commuters with the gridlock extending from EDSA-Quezon Boulevard area up to Ayala. The Kalayaan-C5 route was also no better, with hardly anything moving at all.

Sources say the culprit for yesterday’s hellish traffic was due to the mini-protest rally of Metro Manila Development Authority employees (traffic enforcers included) who were demanding for the release of their hazard pay and other incentives. Demands for hazard pay started sometime last year when an MMDA traffic enforcer by the name of Larry Fiala was shot when he accosted a driver for violating the number coding scheme. Just very recently, a video of Robert Blair Carabuena manhandling MMDA traffic enforcer Saturnino Fabros also went viral, underscoring the kind of “hazards” that MMDA traffic enforcers have to face as they go about their work.

The MMDA of course already has a lot on its plate with the proliferation of colorum vehicles and the road accidents that add to the burden of motorists and commuters especially in major thoroughfares where the volume of vehicles can triple especially during rush hours. No wonder MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino wants to collaborate with the Philippine National Police to investigate traffic accidents to prevent extensive and extended traffic jams. Perhaps the two agencies can come up with procedures to speed up the investigation involving vehicular accidents.  Most of the time, the gridlocks happen because the involved parties – especially when each one claims he has the right of way – refuse to remove their vehicles and wait for the police of MMDA enforcer to arrive on the scene. A simple solution would be to have a video or photo taken of the vehicles and their position relative to the road accident and accept the said video or photo as evidence. That shouldn’t be so hard to do considering that almost every Filipino now has a cellphone camera or video. That way, everybody does not have to waste any time longer than necessary waiting for a traffic enforcer to arrive on the scene, who more often than not will whip out pencil and paper to draw a sketch of the accident. 

Big business supportive of RH Bill

Big business is very supportive of the Reproductive Health Bill and they are showing it by sponsoring the 5th Rafael M. Salas Golf Cup this Thursday at the Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club. Organized by the Forum for Family Planning and Development, the friendly invitation will have FVR leading over 100 players from business, government and civil society to raise funds in support of maternal and child health programs.

People should be aware that a lot of Filipino women die during childbirth, with the mortality rate having increased to 221 per 100,000 – up from the previous level of 169 (per 100,000) – a very far cry from the target of 52. According to Health Secretary Enrique Ona, the alarming increase underscores the “unmet need” of women for planned family management services.   

The tournament was named in honor of the late Ambassador Rafael M. Salas who is remembered as a dedicated patriot and the first executive director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with the rank of Undersecretary-General. Known as “Mr. Population,” Salas gained the respect of the global community for his steadfast advocacy on population and development.

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