A reader from Atlanta writes

We hope you had a wonderful break and were also able to spend time to do some reflection during the Holy Week. Now it’s back to work for us and the start of summer school or training for the children.

We’re sure the decrease in the prices of fuel helped during the break as it allowed us to cut some of our fuel budget.

We just observed that when there was an announcement for a price increase, the Shell station across the Careta cemetery had increased the prices (based on the huge billboard) at least an hour ahead of 12 midnight as announced by the oil company.

The change in pricing wasn’t however reflected in the other Shell stations that we passed. But in fairness to this station, their fuel is six centavos cheaper per liter compared to the others.

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We received email from a reader, who is now in Atlanta about the vehicles, which he aptly called as ‘flying’ and not plying the route from the south to the city because of their speed.

Here is his email:

Greetings from Atlanta, Georgia, USA

I was born and raised in Cebu before moving to the USA six years ago. I am from Badian where many of us observed how reckless this buses “fly” the route to Cebu City. Other than my private car, I rode only the Librando Trans which I think the most disciplined drivers I have ever seen. But I think worst are the buses when they are “flying” the Carcar to Cebu City road. Mao nay paga-ingnon nga manindot gani ang kalsada, modaghan sad ang disgrasya.

We cannot avoid these accidents to happen because of the fact nga bisan dili kamao mobasa ug traffic signs and rules, makakuha man ug driver’s license. It’s sad, but that is the reality. Unfortunately this is only limited (mostly) to driver’s of our public transpo. Mao man gud ni intawon sila ang mubo ra ug nahuman sa pag-eskwela. Kung dili pa lang unta mapalit ang lesensya, naa man untay manual ang LTO aning mga balaod sa kalsada.

I think it is about time for the LTO office to form a team that will conduct traffic regulations training, written and actual testing of this PU drivers. They can do this at the owner’s garage where this buses park and the drivers rest. And also it’s about time that our local police can acquire a radar gun that will measure the speed of the vehicle plying our roads. I understand we already have speed limits signs but nobody can check their actual speed if our police do not have a radar gun. These are not expensive - ask donation from our governor or our congressman. I know we have enough traffic rules to pin this reckless PU drivers down but only the will to impose these laws is the only thing missing. Good luck..

Rady N.

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Rady is right to say that the problem lies in the issuance of licenses to those who are not qualified.

What worsens the situation is that our traffic authorities are not so serious about their work also. One reader complained to us about how barangay and town officials of a southern municipality often stop the policemen from apprehending traffic violators.

Well, this could also be happening in many other places, which is the reason why readers often complain of how drivers in some towns and even component cities don’t seem to bother about traffic laws.

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For your comments, complaints and suggestions please feel free to contact us at 2531276 or 2538613 local 237.

You can also send email to [email protected].