Leaving the bolos to the lolos

"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

So go the words of the great John F. Kennedy, a champion of American politics and an exalted hero of democracy. It is almost as if he meant them for us, the Filipino people – right now. We have developed an activist mentality of picketing for everything: food, homes, gas and death sentences, when we should have just used our time and energy for work or study. We want progress to be served on a silver platter, an impossible circumstance even for the most developed countries. There are those who want smooth roads even as they cheat out of paying the taxes which will fund them. Others clamor for cleaner communities while they still throw their cigarettes and plastic bags out their windows. Many rant about the dishonesty of our traffic enforcers, yet these are the same people who continually wheedle themselves out of a ticket and a one hour traffic lecture for an easy 200 pesos. How do we expect our nation to give us the comforts we crave, when we refuse to sacrifice for them? Sometimes one can’t help but think that we bring our downfall upon ourselves. From a fallen dictator who spoke wise words, we may find the answer to our problems: "Sa ikauunlad ng bayan, disiplina ang kailangan."

Serving one’s country is most lived out by the men and women in the police force. These are the people who risk their life and limbs for the nation’s peace and order, and our very own security. They are the individuals who try hard to make a significant change in society. Before you raise any eyebrows, understand their plight. A multitude of them earn less than the average family driver and a whopping 40 percent still reside in squatters’ areas. There is a waning prestige in being a police officer. Aside from the tarnished image of the force, due to the odd scalawag or two, there are hardly any financial gains personal insurances involved. Add to that the big risk of losing your life. With that, one would really have a lot of heart and a great desire to serve, to want to be in the police.

Yet many remain thankless for their efforts. Yes, there are a number of botched rescue efforts and raids, but there are a great amount of successes as well. I trust in their capabilities, moreso now with two good men at the helm: Generals Ebdane and Velasco. If we can’t bring ourselves to put complete trust in the police, let us at least help them achieve their goals. Let us give them reason to respect and care for their jobs and communities. Trust funds may be established to secure their future. More intensive training programs may be implemented to improve their management skills. Along with better compensation and benefits, what would help them the most is the active participation of citizens in their objectives. We owe them our cooperation in the fight against criminality. We have to have a bit of faith and a whole lot of discipline to the rules. Remember, this is the only police force we’ve got! We might as well learn to live with them.

At the root of all criminality and cause for our loss of faith in our government is extreme poverty. An increasing number of people have turned to highway robberies and serial kidnapping for a living. It is the easier thing to do! This is why I always find myself buying from the traffic vendors. While Mr. Bayani Fernando might have something to say about this practice of mine, I choose to patronize these hard workers because I know that I am at least helping a few individuals stay away from selling my children drugs or snatching my cellphone just to have a decent meal. I also appreciate that they do not rely on their handicaps or tin cans for dole-outs. However, this does not mean that I am encouraging street vending. It just shows how a little hard work done honestly can translate into a source of living.

It’s all about small steps. Keep the people out of a life of crime on the streets. Give them a livelihood with integrity and commensurate benefits. Alleviate poverty. Then, maybe I shall stop buying from the street vendors. It may sound like a simple formula. It isn’t. The point I just wish to emphasize is that we can’t solve our problems in one day, or with one general rule. There will always be a number of approaches to every problem.

This brings me to the issue of MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando’s blitzkrieg of esoteric policies. While I perfectly understand the ideals for which he stands for, and the dreams of a greater Manila he wishes to fulfill, his proposals remain unreasonable.

I am witness to the beauty, peace and order of Marikina City, courtesy of Mr. Fernando’s administration, and had no doubts about his appointment to his current position. I believed President Macapagal-Arroyo made the perfect choice. However, I am beginning to change my mind now.

Many questions are left unanswered in my mind. How is it possible that traffic in the 5-lane EDSA will be eased by giving the buses 3 lanes of their own (with one to park in)? They are kings of the roads as it is. Mr. Fernando, have you ever tried driving along EDSA next to speeding buses without the benefit of escorts and the special treatment of traffic enforcers? Please let us know if you sincerely think that feeding on the already-inflated egos of these ruthless bus drivers can make them observe rules and appropriate etiquette in driving. Kindly explain why, also.

What sort of traffic situation could prompt the need for traffic enforcers to carry bolos? Certainly, there are better implements to aid stalled vehicles. I see no need to intimidate motorists as they are already afraid of being halted for sometimes undeserved traffic tickets (or the additional lagay). All I can see is room for more ego-tripping and abuse by many uncouth traffic enforcers. They will definitely run short of commanding respect. Bolos were an entertaining thought in the 70’s sitcoms where the lolo would always threaten to get his bolo in the face of the many ardent suitors of his granddaughters. They simply do not belong in the age of lasers and mobile communication.

Does the good in opening private subdivision gates to the public outweigh the bad? There is such a thing as private property, and most of the roads Mr. Fernando classified as publicly owned are not. What happens to the security of the residents who paid tens of thousands of pesos to be kept from the pollution, noise and crimes of the public streets? Unless Mr. Fernando can personally assure each and every one of the subdivision residents that there would be no crime, noise, pollution or damaged infrastructure in their communities, this proposition is not fair or feasible.

Why can’t the wares of the illegal street vendors be given to charity, with proper accounting, instead of wasted through kerosene dousing? We have a big problem of scarcity in our country. Why waste what you can use to feed thousands of hungry poor? If the concern is the temptation and corruption of inspectors, then all that is needed is a detailed accounting and auditing of confiscated goods — together with more honest and well-trained inspectors.

In light of all these harsh and outrageous regulations, there is a need for a more thorough understanding of the citizens’ needs and way of life. We may be a stubborn race, but we still have the right to privacy, respect, and clear roads. Bolos cannot stop us from beating the red light, but maybe a well-meaning traffic official could. Let’s all help each other out and be more considerate of each one’s plight.

And as an ending note, let us stop bashing the current administration for having a little fun and posing in sunglasses. Let’s maintain open minds — especially for such petty things. The highly respected Bill Clinton was loved even more after coming up with a sitcom to respond to his waning popularity during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Our president and her officials are human beings too. Allow them to smile as we smile, and to laugh about themselves as we do. Getting featured in a society magazine does not mean that they have forgotten our budget deficit or the Abu Sayyaf, or that they have stopped building roads and feeding the poor. Philippines, lighten up.