It’s hard to be a Bayani

It’s not easy being in the shoes of Bayani Fernando, especially now that he is tasked to manage development efforts in and for Metro Manila. And that’s basically, as the name implies, what the MMDA is for.

It is therefore not at all surprising to see him developing ideas here and there, getting his hands dirty, so to speak. The job to bring some order in Metro Manila, which is home to about 12 million people, is much greater than the demands of managing his home-city of Marikina. But you don’t see this man backing off from the challenge, nor does he procrastinate. He exudes a lot of confidence, which is probably what we need today.

He has a number of aces up his sleeve, particularly with regard to the perennial traffic problem in the metropolis. One of the more eye-catching ideas is that he is considering opening up private subdivision roads for public motorists. His plan is to add more secondary routes for the motoring public to use. This will help decongest most of the major thoroughfares, much like the "Friendship Routes" which were opened to the public a few decades ago.

Too, the DoTC is planning on putting up drop off and pick up points for buses to shuttle students of Miriam College, Ateneo and UP along Katipunan Road and other areas around Metro Manila. The idea is to lessen the amount of private vehicles along the busy Katipunan Road during schooldays. According to the Office of the Executive Director from the Traffic Operations Center, plans are still up for deliberation and the budget has not yet been finalized.

These are excellent ideas. Obviously, more deliberation, wit and wisdom have gone into these proposals than most of the plans put into operation by the MMDA and the DoTC in the past. Although the idea of Fernando to relocate street vendors tugged some controversy, still, majority of the people agreed to what he did. Thus, order is slowly taking shape within the city. We, therefore, salute Fernando for his strength, and the courage to do what is right.

Nevertheless, in Metro Manila, nothing is as easy as it looks. Opening up private subdivision roads to the public is like putting up "Welcome" signs to criminals, saying "You’re welcome to take anything you want!" It may create more problems than what the MMDA can, in actuality, manage.

Today, according to reports, there’s a 28.6 percent rise in criminality on a year on year basis. The peace and order condition in Metro Manila is still very unstable. In fact, despite the very tight security in these villages, still, there are numerous reports of isolated incidents involving Akyat-Bahay members that operate in subdivisions. We can just imagine what will happen to these villages once they are opened to the public. The PNP’s hands are already full, which is why all private villages pay for their own security. The lives and property of homeowners and their families are unwittingly being endangered by the MMDA.

As for the DoTC’s idea of shuttling students to their schools, the dangers are even more pronounced. Just think about it: all it would take is one bus full of children of wealthy families – about 40 potential victims – to be waylaid and held hostage by a kidnap gang. In one shot, they get a hundred million. The pick up and drop off outposts could actually serve as kidnapping points for these outlaws. Can the DoTC guarantee the protection of these children?

Homeowners and residents of these subdivisions may accept the idea, but Fernando needs to give back to them what would be taken away if these ideas would be implemented – their security. This is only fair. The right of these individuals to a safe and peaceful haven must be given full consideration, just like providing alternative selling posts to the displaced vendors. Likewise, if the DoTC is bent on implementing the shuttle service in Katipunan Road, they must provide no less than 100 percent security.

It’s encouraging to note that there are people like Bayani Fernando who is courageous enough to do what is right, and has the will and strength to solve the problems of the city. He must, however, be cautioned that the rights of citizens, both rich and poor, should always be protected. As one observer told me, "If the MMDA will implement these ideas, all it would take is for one criminal incident to occur – just one incident – and the MMDA chief will turn from a Bayani to a villain."

* * *

The intense rivalry between La Salle and Ateneo goes on high gear today. This competition goes back many generations, and I always find myself caught in the middle of this fierce rivalry, given that I went to both Ateneo and La Salle. But despite all this, La Sallites and Ateneans have remained the best of friends. How I wish this could be the same for the entire country, that after all the bitter and intense political rivalry, at the end of the day, we can set aside our differences, and work together as Filipinos for the good of the nation.

* * *

Mark Jimenez, a schoolmate at the Ateneo, asked me in early 1999 to help him with his extradition case. Our office in Washington recommended former CIA and FBI director William Webster who is highly respected in Washington. Upon our request, Webster came to Manila, advised MJ to go back to the United States and strike a plea bargain agreement similar to the Indonesian businessman with the same problem. He did not heed his advice. Because this is such a high profile case, MJ is left with no option. His only way out is for the Philippines to abrogate the extradition treaty with the United States.

* * *

E-mail: [email protected]