Solutions not stats

Who is in charge or is there a governing body that reviews and regulates how paid parking buildings are designed or operate? Is there even a law that requires a franchise as well as set rules and regulations on fees as well as damages or losses that occur in paid parking areas?

What started out as a matter of customer convenience has now become a full blown business that is so profitable that many malls and business establishments such as hospitals can actually bid out or sublet, or hire out their parking garage businesses to professional management companies that specialize in operating paid parking. Some are actually good and reasonable but there is an equal amount of predators or unprofessional operators that give the business a very bad reputation.

From experience in three different major hospitals in Makati, Quezon City and San Juan, I get the impression that parking garage operators have stiffer rates than most malls. Last Saturday, I made a quick and short visit at Cardinal Santos that took all of 20 minutes. I was charged P50 and was told that it was a flat rate for the first five hours. In most malls I go to the rate would be P30 for the first 2 hours then the cost goes up. If you’re out within 20 or 30 minutes you get a grace period for free.

Most people going to a hospital don’t want to stay long to avoid catching something or being a burden to a sick patient. The first 5-hour flat rate is made to appear like a blessing when it’s not. Hotels are just as terrible if not worse than hospitals. Your bill could go from P250 to P500 for 5 to 6 hours! Then you read the sign that warns you about thieves, that the management is not responsible for any damages, etc.! You would think that such a lucrative business would at least be required to buy comprehensive insurance as well as install a network of CCTV cameras. Time for Senator Recto and Bam Aquino to tag team on this business model that has gone from courtesy to misery for customers!

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It comes as no surprise that the MMDA’s idea of making things better is to inform the people of Metro Manila that there are now 3 times the numbers of vehicles using EDSA than it was originally intended to accommodate. For emphasis, they also point out that 80% of the traffic volume is from private vehicles.

This is what you call useless information. As accurate as the MMDA may be on their stats, statistics are not solutions. For the same amount of effort, they might have discovered if they don’t know it already, is that traffic flow or management in Metro Manila is dependent on local traffic enforcers that are on the payroll of local governments not the MMDA. You cannot run a Metropolis with a work force that are “borrowed via cooperation” especially if you don’t pay their salaries!

The problem is that these traffic enforcers are on the clock during rush hours only. Then they leave at around 10 am and return at 3 or 4 pm depending on their location. Those manning busy intersections actually go away for lunch breaks and merienda and will go back to their spot if traffic builds up or gets snarled.  Being human, they abandon their posts during inclement weather. If you happen to go through Hell On Wheels this week, there is a great probability that many of the local traffic enforcers won’t be around due to Christmas parties as well as doing the rounds to solicit gifts or buy gifts during lunch!

The most practical solution to the problem would be to remove the human factor by installing as many traffic lights at intersections. Given Filipino technical and vocational skills, we can design or fabricate streetlights. If we can host a P10-billion global convention, I see no reason why Pinoys can’t make traffic lights! These instruments are one of the oldest most basic contraptions and they don’t have to be made abroad and bought at such an expensive price. If need be, the Philippines can enter into a government to government agreement with China, Taiwan or whoever produces these things at cheaper than whole sale prices.

We need to remove the human factor in traffic management!

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Speaking of the Filipino can attitude, “MyFriend” at MYPHONE Mr. David Lim has gone on a nationwide campaign to infiltrate if not slowly eat up the sales territory of the bigger brands of Mobile Phones and just like he did in our early days at SONY/Solid Industries, David and his team of loyal and determined entrepreneurs are clearly catching the attention even of the most loyal Android and IPhone users.

Most people might look down on a brand of a lesser price and assume it is of a lesser quality, but so far my own Mom and nieces as well as staff swear by it in terms of usefulness especially in dead spots such as 3rd or 4th basements. Others with higher end model find the brand very useful abroad unlike “locked” brands and models. Before you assume this is an endorsement for the record I don’t own one. I’ve checked them out, asked users and retailers about them. The product caught my attention because of it being called the “Filipino Mobile Phone” or having a “Pinoy” identity.

Given the good reviews, what also sells the MYPHONE is the way David Lim and associates have designed and priced their different models to fit Filipino needs and budgets. They actually came up with a phone designed for disaster relief as well as a model that David claims can challenge the latest model IPhone6 and Androids. Once again the Filipino can and does!

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