How many more must die?

How many more motorcycle riders and drivers need to die before the national government and the members of Congress realize that we need to promote motorcycle and rider safety and protection? If you monitor the newspapers, TV and Radio like I do, not a day goes by without one or several motorcycle drivers and riders getting into an accident, either through their own fault or the fault of other drivers or motorists.

Laws and permanent engineering solutions need to be put in place to protect motorcycle riders and it is about time we all recognize that motorcycles are not the “poor man’s” alternative ride. They now have the numbers and we can no longer deny the fact that motorcycles make commuting quick or affordable for the guy from Tondo or gents from BGC.

Instead of making motorists and motorcycle riders jockey for position on our roads, give the huge number of motorcycle riders their own lane and make riding a motorcycle so safe that it becomes the fastest alternative to public and mass transport. Let us stop treating them as “pests,” moving hazards or irritants. Give them their own lane on the NLEX and SLEX but require each and every motorcycle rider to go through a rider safety course like the ones provided by Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and BMW. There is a course for every income level. The various riders and owners clubs as well as the manufacturers need to sit down once and for all and push hard for certification and engineering solutions or they can start counting the dead riders in 2018. 

*  *  *         

Before the MMDA comes out with their guidelines on the installation of tinted film on vehicles, I might as well put out what I’ve long been suggesting to the LTO. If authorities want to regulate or control the use of tint film, I suggested that they start by designating a “No Tint” area which, for me would be the 1/3 middle part of the front windshield. The “No Tint” area has to be enforced because it is the minimum compliance to manufacturers’ design. By imposing the 1/3 No Tint area, the MMDA introduces a window for compromise, instead of stripping off tints on everyone’s windshield.

Most vehicle owners tint the rear windshield so thieves won’t be able to look in. The problem is the vehicles behind them also can’t see the traffic ahead. Back tints must go and drivers simply need to learn to cover their belongings or not to leave valuables in the back. Fact of the matter is many victims are profiled at coffee shops etc. and then the “Bukas Kotse” gangs break in when they see you leave your stuff.

As far as the sides go, there is nothing I hate more than riding in a van or car passing by really beautiful scenery and not seeing anything because of black out tints used to hide passengers during colorum operations! There is a need for tint but it must be minimal!

*  *  *         

The PR people promoting the Mega NAIA Terminal to be funded by seven Taipans came out with a statement that the plan is to double the landings and take offs from NAIA by hiring a foreign firm to manage things. That is actually possible if the airline companies shell out millions of dollars and bought planes that are twice or three times bigger than their current equipment. That way they can cut flights to some destination from three flights to one big aircraft. Other than that, their only chance in hell to double flight management efficiency is to build double the runways in existence.

Taipans are investing in a Mega Terminal at NAIA to make sure that Manila remains the gateway so that the Taipans can protect their various investments in malls, hotels, airlines and the likes. If they stood idly by and waited until the government puts up an honest to goodness international airport in Clark, Bulacan or elsewhere, the Taipans would have to start from scratch to build up new empires in the north. The Taipans are welcome to invest in their Mega Terminal but I certainly hope that the Duterte Administration does not allow corrupt leftovers inside the CAAP and CAB to undermine or “lose documents” for the development of Clark, San Miguel’s Bulacan proposal, even the Sangley proposal. As they say, the more the merrier.

*  *  *         

When my friend’s driver cracked his leg bone, I advised them to bring the patient to the National Orthopedic Hospital because my first choice will always be government hospitals because they have the best exposure and training just by the sheer number of patients and the least in terms of equipment and resource.

Three weeks after the incident, my friend informed me that they were pleasantly surprised and very impressed with how their driver was treated as well as how the NOH was ran as a public hospital. Even if the driver stayed in a “Ward” and not a private room, the bed sheets and pillowcases were replaced regularly if not on a daily basis. The rooms were kept clean and on top of it all, the attending physicians visited patients daily. While they did have to buy a number of supplies and materials outside of the hospital, the doctors or staff knew where to send patient’s relatives and would sometimes provide contact details.

If, God forbid, that you ever need to stay in the hospital, consider going to a government hospital. They have veteran physicians; they also have private rooms, and some of the most dedicated people in the profession. Anyone who’s willing to work for less compared to a private hospital eventually does it because they love the job and the people they work with. Congratulations to the NOH, the PCMC, the PHC, the NKTI and the rest. May this administration give you more land, more funding and even more public recognition!

*  *  *         

Email: [email protected]