Talk about human rights

I cannot understand why some people have to talk about human rights when the majority of the citizens are the ones affected by these very people breaking the law? I am referring to the market vendors who illegally squat in the main roads and highways almost covering up two-thirds of the road. I am also talking about the illegal jaywalkers who cross the highways and force the drivers to make a sudden stop, thus causing more traffic to commuters.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando (BF) seems to be fighting these causes all by himself. I hope the President will support him. Since a number of people (you can call them his "detractors") are already trying to stop his actions which we very well know will be good for the country in the end.

Of course, many of us are happy with what BF has done and what he still plans to do but there are still others who make an issue out of his moves. Tell me, don’t the sidewalk vendors illegally squat on the streets? Aren’t they causing more traffic? Isn’t their act of selling food in the streets unhygienic? If you weigh the pros and cons of allowing vendors to sell in the streets, you will realize the majority of the people — the buyers, the pedestrians, the commuters affected by the traffic caused by these vendors — are even more affected by the scenario than the vendors. So, whose right are we talking about here? The majority of the citizens who need to be protected? Or the few vendors who in reality have a proper place to sell their goods.

I have never seen any decent government in Europe, Asia, or the Americas who allow vendors to cover up their roads. If ever they do, they provide the vendors an area that will not affect the vehicles and the pedestrians. They also have strict rules for these vendors which are closely monitored. There are also occasions when they close the street once a week or during special holidays to allow a street fair — hey, but not everyday!

Here in the Philippines we seem to always have a street fair. In fact, some mayors — I do not have to mention their names — are not listening to BF and insist that their vendors stay put in the streets. Look around and you will know who they are. If you notice vendors still loitering in the public roads, then that town or city is defying the rules BF has laid down.

I do not know why these mayors are so determined to keep their vendors in the streets? Isn’t it their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of each citizen? Shouldn’t they also consider "us" — the consumers who may get sick by buying food from the streets. It is such simple act to move these vendors back inside the marketplace (not unless a marketplace does not exist). The mayors can do this on their own without having to wait for the MMDA people to do it — that is what is called "political will". But the question is why aren’t they moving? My theory is that without these vendors in the street, the mayors cannot collect "fees" from them anymore — wala na silang madidilihensya! Now, if I am wrong — then, please show us that you can follow the rules yourselves. Please remember that we voted you into office; this is one of your responsibilities; it is our human right to be safe and secure in our own community. Or are you scared you may lose the vote of the vendors for the next election?

The other issue is that of jaywalking. C’mon! The jaywalkers are the very people who are breaking the rules of the road. If they are caught, that is the consequence of their action — what human right are you talking about? They are actually breaking the rights of the commuters to freely drive on the roads. The roads are for vehicles, not for people. The sidewalk, the overpass and even the pedestrian lanes are for the people to walk on.

Well, one thing I have to remind Bayani Fernando, which I know he intends to act upon is that of his MMDA enforcers who seem to be undisciplined themselves. Some still smoke their cigarettes while on the job; some still use their cellphones while on duty, while others cluster and chat on the side as a smoke belcher passes by. I think we need clarification. Are these MMDA enforcers — wearing blue long-sleeved uniforms and boots sometimes with hats — there just to police the cars breaking the color coding rule of the day and making a wrong turn? Or are they there to also stop smoke belchers, jaywalkers and buses that still use the middle lane and innermost left lane? If these are still part of their obligations, we do not see it happening at all. Please check them out and give them more training in order to fulfill their duties.

I know that BF will not be able to do everything in one day, one week, one month or one year — but I am sure he will get things done faster than many government officials who have been in office for a long time now. It may be too early to talk about the work of BF. But – my golly! — he is the only government official whom I have observed has done many good things and many improvements without having to wait for centuries until a simple or major job is done. I hope many will be inspired and challenged by his ways.

Filipinos can be trained to follow and obey the basic laws of the land; however, we need to know what they are. Yes, there may already be existing rules and systems but what is lacking is the information given to the citizens. Mind you, these are not taught in the schools. This information campaign should be a move done by the government. If we are properly guided and if close monitoring is done, then, I am sure there will be a positive flow toward progress. Let us start with our public areas like the streets, the highways, the sidewalks, the markets, the parks (do you see any?), the communities, etc. Then, continue with the major government offices like the City Hall (which needs to be organized, and be made clean and beautiful), the Land and Transportation Office, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Register of Deeds, and the other departments that give basic services to its citizens.

If we put some order in our environment, then security and safety will follow. If other countries can make changes, like Saudi Arabia from a vast dessert have been able to develop its society through the help of almost a million Filipino Overseas Workers; Korea from a provincial state has now become Asia’s top 2 or 3; Thailand who has sent students to learn from our agricultural expertise (then, not now) and has become experts in the field of agriculture; and now Vietnam and Cambodia are on their way to development. Why can’t we? Or maybe the question should be: When will we follow suit? Will we wait to be the last of the Mohicans? I hope our politicians will stop campaigning for the next elections and just do their work. I hope they will stop pleasing others and instead do what is right. I hope and pray that we can change our national character (which is labeled as being dishonest and corrupt) — and be honest and sincere to our people, for once.

Let’s talk about the spirit of the Filipinos — and our human rights as citizens of the land that many politicians and government officials have scarred and abused. Our country is suffering and its people are hurting from your inadequacies and inefficiencies. Why do you allow corruption to occur? You do not even need to look for where corruption is taking place — it’s all over. When will it stop? Or when will it at least be limited so that it does not affect our national character, our country’s economic growth and our country’s progress? Who will fight it?