An urgent letter to the MMDA

A big black motorbike headed straight at me. I glanced backward and saw that moving back to the first lane was not an option. A white van zoomed past me on that first lane and I had to inch away from the white line that marked the lanes to avoid the van from hitting me. The man who was carrying my grocery bags had moved on to the third lane and I looked longingly at him. I wanted to be beside him because I knew for sure he had more experience than I did on how to cross this freeway safely. Then it happened. Bang! Wham!

When I gained consciousness, I was lying on my side with my hand pillowing my head and I could see a lot of blood on the road. I knew that blood was from my head. A young man, call him Joseph, was holding my hand. His calming eyes looked straight at me. No judgment. No pity. Just the reassurance that a stranger cared enough to wait for me to open my eyes. He did not give me instructions, so I glanced around and saw so many people surrounding me. They were standing in the middle of C5, protecting me from other cars that could have easily run over me. The multi-lane highway transformed into one-lane traffic. My grocery bagman had remorse and sorrow in his eyes. The helmeted motorcycle driver also came near.

On Feb. 10, 2009, at 5:39 p.m., I was hit by a motorbike as I crossed C5. I had just enjoyed the pleasure of shopping at Shopwise. Senior police officer (SPO2) Cuaresma relates, “There are many accidents that happen outside Shopwise on E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue. All day and night, people cross the street. They are all in danger.”

I had been unconscious for over half an hour and later found out that apparently there were bystanders and policemen who stopped each other from moving me. The natural instinct would be to move the victim and take her to the hospital in the first car available, but SPO2 Cuaresma prevented others from touching me. Experience with accidents on C5 made him wise to the procedure.

“There are so many accidents in this area,” an employee from Shopwise declares. The workers from the supermarket as well as customers all risk their lives when crossing C5, but they have no choice. There is no footbridge nearby. 

“My estimate is that there are 10 accidents involving pedestrians each week in that area of E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue in Libis,” says a traffic controller from the MMDA.

Crossing C5 may seem like a suicide mission, and it very often is, but there are people who have to get to the other side. Petitions have been made to build a new footbridge and yet even with all the accidents, fractures, broken skulls, deaths and tormented motorists, no footbridge is being planned. The nearest footbridge from Shopwise is located near Citibank so that is too far to be an option

“A pedestrian lane could help,” says the concerned traffic controller, who keeps a logbook on the accidents that occur in that area. Numerous phone calls to the MMDA, Quezon City Hall and Camp Caringal finally led to a Police Supt. Rudi Pimentel Valoria. With the fervor and dedication that newly installed officers have, Valoria suggested a letter requesting a pedestrian lane. His promise to act on the request for a pedestrian lane gave me the hope that somehow, this accident would cause some joy.

Since this is a national road, the route that this letter would take would include the DPWH, MMDA, the Department of Public Order and Safety and Quezon City Hall. So instead, here is the letter :

“Dear Chairman Bayani Fernando,

“It is true that your office has tried to do its best for business establishments, pedestrians and motorists alike. In fact, when I got run over by a motorbike, the quick response of the MMDA in calling an ambulance and making sure that I was protected while I lay unconscious helped save my life.

“The establishments near Shopwise include Allied Bank, RCBC, Dr. Guanzon’s Clinic, a car dealer and Robinsons’ office building. Their employees are in agreement that something has to be done to protect the customers and themselves when they need to cross the street. Petitions have been circulated requesting a pedestrian overpass to be built, but no action has been taken. Sealing off the barriers in the middle of C5 is impractical since people have to get across.

“A pedestrian lane would seem less ambitious and more easily implemented. A traffic guard who could guide the people across E. Rodriguez Jr. would definitely help the survival of people who dart across the freeway. 

“In January, a van killed a lady in the same spot where I was knocked down. In my accident, I sympathize with the motorcycle driver, who also got hurt. As his bike slammed into me, he skidded and his backpack plus helmet prevented him from being flexible enough to roll and soften the impact. His livelihood has been affected because now he feels less confident about his abilities as a motorbike driver. 

“Publishing this letter might be the most effective way to get some action. My head got jarred and I got a concussion — such injuries make it an urgent situation. Apathy is the state of indifference in which so many of us find ourselves — a sense of numbness to the helpless plight of our fellow citizens. When one has a close brush with death, apathy turns into energy. You, Chairman Fernando, are in a position to get those pedestrian lanes painted on C5 near Shopwise. Just have an observer count how many people risk their lives crossing that street every hour and, for sure, the inspiration to splurge on a bucket of paint will justify the pedestrian walk. 

Thank you.”

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E-mail: aurorawilson@gmail.com