Makati tells traffic violators: A ticket or your eyes?

Traffic violators in Makati can choose between a traffic ticket or signing a form donating their eyes to the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines upon their death.

Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Makati police chief, said the police will man Makati’s main thoroughfares, such as Gil Puyat Avenue, just for today to watch out for potential eye donors.

“What we are after here is to promote organ donor awareness and help the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines (EBFP),” he said.

Cruz said at the back of a driver’s license is a portion where the holder can declare that he wishes to donate his organs upon death.

“We tend to not notice this because as soon as we are issued a license, we simply stash it inside our wallets and bring it out only when needed,” he said.

Cruz said the Makati police will team up with the EBFP, headed Dr. Dominga Padilla, for the one-day project.

“They (motorists) lose nothing,” he said. “It’s about making the people know that… (their eyes) can still live even after they die.”

Cruz said policemen will carry pens with permanent ink for use by erring motorists who agree to become eye donors. “If they do not have driver’s licenses, they can simply fill up a form,” he said. – Michael Punongbayan