Para, mama, dito nalang!

The Norwegian prime minister became a taxi driver for an afternoon “to hear what people really think.” Granted, the taxi was a Benz and it is campaign season in Norway (elections are on Sept. 9), but the king-becomes-commoner strategy to feel the pulse of the people is something leaders should practice.

There is an online petition that I urge all of you to sign. The petition challenges the President to require government officials – especially senior Cabinet officials – to take public transit once a month “so you can all understand the daily realities faced by the majority of your fellow Filipinos.” Go to www.change.org and type in the petition subject. Please sign and pass it on.

I know it is not realistic to expect the President himself to do this; he is far too recognizable and it will just come off as a cheap publicity stunt. But other government officials – the Cabinet secretaries, undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, bureau directors, and while we’re at it maybe senators and congressmen, governors and mayors might want to join in – should, unannounced, hop on a bus, FX or jeepney and/or take the LRT or MRT on any regular day. Do this during rush hour on a rainy day to see what it’s really like for the bosses you claim to serve. Just be sure to leave the photographers and reporters, aides and bodyguards behind; the point here is to be a common tao – not have a good photo-op.

Some years ago, in the midst of the NorthRail brouhaha, the former Chinese ambassador, accompanied by a few embassy staff, took the south-bound MetroRail train. Being a true diplomat, he described the experience – only in private conversations, as it was not reported in media – in carefully chosen words. But I think that experience really convinced him of the urgent need to upgrade our rail system. (Unfortunately, allegations of corruption and anomalies stalled the project before even an inch of railroad could be built.) Such is the experience we encourage our leaders to have; such are the realities that must be the foundation of our national, provincial and city budgets and the infrastructure programs that our hard-earned taxes fund.

Those of us who daily drive to and from work appreciate the ease in traffic that the new bus scheme has brought; yes, keep those rowdy kamikaze bus drivers in line and take the colorum buses off the road. But I’m glad some buses now have permits to enter city limits, and the chaos that accompanied the first days of implementation has abated somewhat. Perhaps if these officials were forced to take multiple rides just to get to work or to their next meeting (hey, calling your security detail to make you sundo at the bus stop is cheating) we may finally get a workable system that solves both transportation and traffic in the metropolis. As the petition says, “the government puts all its efforts in trying to solve traffic, but not in solving public transportation.”

Well, what are you waiting for? Sakay na!

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God beside the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. You gave me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.  Psalm 18:30-33, 35