Before the problem stinks

Thursday nights (actually Friday mornings) are never complete without me tuning in to Debate with Oscar Orbos and Winnie Monsod.

This week’s Debate episode was probably the most fun in the show’s history. The topic in itself was really trivial – and yet it had been in the headlines: MMDA giving deodorants to PUV drivers – Is this OA or not?

The Not OA team was led by no less than the MMDA chairman himself, Bayani Fernando, who said that his office had been getting a lot of complaints regarding drivers who pollute public utility vehicles with their body odor.

On the side of Chairman Fernando were former singer-turned-bus operator Claire de la Fuente and hard-hitting journalist Mon Tulfo. During the debate, Claire claimed that some drivers probably don’t realize that they smell (which can be true), while Mr. Tulfo insisted that drivers who do not respect themselves by bathing and making sure they are presentable in public are the types who will have no respect for his passengers. I guess he has a point there.

On the other camp was Rep. Raffy Biazon, who was not in favor of MMDA’s deodorant giveaways because he was worried about the sustainability of this kind of project. Until when can the MMDA provide free deodorants to drivers of public utility vehicles?

Seated beside Rep. Biazon was Dr. Amanda Cruz, a woman I admire for her wit and determination to fight for her causes (she is always among the first to make noise when there is an increase in gasoline prices). I may not agree with her on this issue, but I thought she was so funny in that episode of Debate.

Even more hilarious was Tiya Pusit who brought the house down when she suggested at least two subtle ways of telling drivers they stink. Maybe you can tell them: 1) Pare, Happy New Year! (kasi may putok). 2) Pare, galing ka ba ng Saudi? The second one, of course, is a bit racist, but then it was really harmless and said in jest. Even Winnie Monsod threw her head off laughing at that wisecrack by Tiya Pusit.

That episode ended happily with everyone in stitches – guests, hosts, studio audience and I suppose the viewers at home. In my case, I almost cracked my ribs laughing.

But is this latest MMDA project OA? If you ask me, my answer is No. I guess it was okay for the MMDA to have given away deodorants to drivers of public utility vehicles (these were donations anyway from deodorant manufacturers). Of course, some PUV drivers got insulted (as per the interviews conducted by 24 Oras/Saksi) – and I can believe that because we react differently to situations.

But even in these formal awards presentations, sponsors send representatives to give away samples of breath-fresheners, tissue paper and even sanitary napkins. I welcome all these, except for the sanitary napkins, of course, because these are very usable anyway.

My only concern (and this is so minor) about the MMDA deodorant giveaways is that the product they distribute may not work with the body chemistry of some PUV drivers. In my case, US-made deodorants are not as effective for me compared to the local products I buy in the supermarkets. Maybe local deodorants are made to be more potent because manufacturers keep in mind that we sweat more here in tropical weather.

But going back to the Debate topic of whether or not the MMDA went OA with its campaign against body odor among PUV drivers. Again, it’s a No for me and I support this MMDA project.

I know that there are a lot of other problems that this government agency has yet to solve. One is about errant bus drivers who block intersections – and this was pointed out in Debate by Winnie Monsod. Then, there are the smoke-belchers who pollute the air of Metro Manila. The list can go on and on.

PUV drivers having body odor is really a minor problem. But if there are complaints from the public – as Chairman Fernando claimed – then it’s a good thing that the MMDA is acting on it.

While we are still looking for ways to solve the big headaches this metropolis is facing at the moment, there is nothing wrong with the fact that the MMDA is attending to the small ones first.

At least, this agency is doing something before this problem stinks – literally.