The three blind mice!

Last week I wrote about my experience with the MMDA and LTFRB. We were told that LTFRB will get back to us. They didn’t! Time passed, but no word from them, neither from the MMDA. So what else is new? I was hoping that things in this present government would change – nada!

I hate to compare governments but ours indeed is a very different case. It’s a basket case. Government services are created to assist people. Why are our services so backward and falling apart? In this modern high tech world where everything happens in a click of an icon not even a button – why can’t we reach efficiency and sufficiency? In Tagalog, as one would quip, “sinasadya na ata ‘to” (this is done intentionally). Unless we change our values (mentality) and culture, we will never make it. P-Noy better use his iron fist and start a strong and powerful authoritarian rule in government. Enough is enough!

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I don’t understand why the MMDA cannot apprehend a bus that has already been identified. I am also baffled why the LTFRB who also has the power to stop buses, does not have a patrol vehicle. So, what happens now? What will the government do to help the distressed citizen? Isn’t this why we pay taxes?

By the way, LTFRB Chairman Nelson Laluces resigned last week. You’d probably wonder why in the world he resigned. Did he do anything wrong? Did he resign because he cannot fulfill his responsibilities as the LTFRB head? The second question would probably be a more reasonable excuse or point to contend with. But apparently, it is none of the above The reason for his resignation was to give the newly appointed Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas the courtesy to choose who should lead the agency. Really now, I guess it’s all about party politics again!

Rumor has it that the resignation of Chairman Laluces was a result of the so-called factions in the present administration. Remember the ‘Balay’ and the ‘Samar’ groups? Chairman Laluces belongs to the ‘Samar’ group together with Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. while Secretary Roxas belongs to the ‘Balay’ group. If this is the case, then we are up for a free ball game. Let us continue to watch and observe who else will march out of the DOTC in the coming months.

Anyway two weeks ago, before the resignation of Laluces someone informed me that the former Chairman has allegedly been cuddling an illegally overstaying over-aged LTFRB fart (sorry I meant official) who has not been granted a six month extension by the Office of the President as required by EO 136. In fact, it states in Section 12, Rule XIII of the Revised Omnibus Rules on Appointments and other Personnel Actions that: No person who has reached the compulsory retirement age of 65 can be appointed to any position in the government, except to primarily confidential positions, provided that the appointment shall be under temporary status. It should also be noted that the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court no less, ruled that ONLY those holding Primarily Confidential positions may remain beyond the compulsory retirement age of 65 years old. Why the fuss? This grumpy old man is a detriment to the daily operations of the LTFRB. He is obviously there like a vulture protecting his nest and literally sleeping during the meetings.

 Anyway, it looks like newly appointed Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas has inherited a list of problems: the rift between Stradcom and the Land Transportation Office, the NBN-ZTE scandal from 2008, the unpaid Radio Frequency Identification Cards for motorists, the miserable international status of airports and piers, rising oil and public transportation prices and the pressing issues involving the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board among others. Secretary Mar, before you even begin, I hope that you study the overlapping functions of the LTFRB, the LTO and the creeping role of the MMDA– so that the crazed public will not be confused all the more.

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Let’s review DOTC 101: The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is the primary policy, planning, programming, coordinating, implementing and administrative entity of the executive branch of government on the promotion, development and regulation of a dependable and coordinated network of transportation and communications systems, as well as in the fast, safe, efficient and reliable transportation and communications services. As a matter of fact, it is the biggest department (under the executive branch) because it covers roads, railways, air, water and communications sectors. The LTFRB and the LTO fall under the DOTC’s jurisdiction.

The LTO promotes the safety and comfort of the traveling public with respect to motor vehicles. It is tasked to collect various fees from the registration of motor vehicles, the issuance of licenses to qualified motor vehicle drivers, the collection of fines and penalties for motor vehicle related infractions and the sale of motor vehicle license plates.

The LTFRB on the other hand was created by virtue of an Executive Order issued on June 19, 1987 with the goal of simplifying the land transportation industry’s franchising system. It is said that since the creation of the LTFRB, the issuance of franchises for land transport operators has become more rigorous, resulting in higher safety standards for land travel. Technical evaluation staff ensures that operating and safety standards of commercial and private vehicles are observed, prior to the issuance of operating franchises. Really now, if you ask me, it has not lived up to its standards. I say we abolish this regulating board. It has just become a breeding place for more corruption.

Another agency that is not directly under the DOTC but adds up to the intricacy is the MMDA. One of its functions is transport and traffic management. These includes the formulation, coordination, and monitoring of policies, standards, programs and projects to rationalize the existing transport operations, infrastructure requirements, the use of thoroughfares, and promotion of safe and convenient movement of persons and goods; provision for the mass transport system and the institution of a system to regulate road users; administration and implementation of all traffic enforcement operations, traffic engineering services and traffic education programs, including the institution of a single ticketing system in Metropolitan Manila (except for Makati where you have an autonomous region of yellow cops and their own car coding system).

If you look closely at the main functions of these three agencies, there is one common denominator – the inability to plan, coordinate and implement consistently the rules and regulations formulated. Added to this is that bad trait Filipinos have — “ningas kugon”. P-Noy has started his campaign to condition our minds to follow rules. He must be able to sustain it in all government sectors. The public is eager to cooperate but with lousy guidelines and policies implemented, the enthusiasm can die a natural death.

We have succeeded with P-Noy’s wang-wang program but is that all this government can achieve? Sanamagan! You are dealing with the lives of millions of Filipinos here!