I cannot understand…

As a native-born and resident of Cebu City I have been observing what's going on in this premier city of the south particularly with regard to road maintenance and traffic control. In general, things are tolerable on these aspects of governance. However, there have been situations and late happenings, which we found difficult to understand. Herewith I am recounting these:

“I cannot understand why in the last few weeks, good roads are being scraped over, then overlaid withfresh asphalt but only after a considerable delay. This is of course a blatant waste of funds, which could have been used on roads that are really in need of repair. When this is done traffic becomes a nightmare, and a smooth passageway becomes a calvary of dust. For evidence, go to barangay Bulacao, this city, then sneak out to SRP via Mambaling. That artery connecting this barangay to south coastal road is in a miserable state. Why can't the money wasted somewhere else be used here? It's a city road, not a national one, is the answer. Yet it's the same people's money that's being squandered. Where are the bright boys in local and national law making bodies who ought to do something about this shenanigan? Or are they silent partners of this crazy way of road maintenance?

“ I cannot understand why motorcycles for hire are allowed to operate on national roads and highways.There's a law on this but authorities are turning deaf and blind to this infraction. Cebu City is the lone exception but outside its boundaries and in Metro Cebu, including the nearby cities, it's anything goes. Why can't the authorities in these areas muster enough guts to implement the law? Accidents? There have been many. But even their constituents' blood does not disturb the conscience of the officials concerned.

“I cannot understand why the Cebu City council has not come out with an ordinance governing the operation of the so-called “trisikads”. In every barangay this mode of transport has proliferated to the point that it has become a pain in the neck, traffic-wise. Because they are unregulated, anybody - men, women and even children - is allowed to operate. Without even a basic know-how on how to navigate through a roadway - such as keeping to the right or passing a vehicle only to the left - accidents have happened.

I have seen these contraptions carrying passengers along a national road or even crossing a highway on the way to another barangay. Without light nor a warning device, these are certainly hazardous to pedestrians. Of course, these carriers have no plate numbers and their “drivers” have no IDs. And in one barangay, when a trisikad was loaded with stolen articles there was no way check who the culprit was. How long will we wait before the authorities will wake up and start looking into this problem?

“I cannot understand why “habal-habal” operation has not been regulated. Like the trisikads these toohave grown in apparently excessive number. Because they are unregulated too they have no authority to transport passengers nor have they specified routes. Their drivers may have license to drive, but no police or NBI clearance is required (that's why some of them have been involved in crime related incidents). And what about fare? It's unregulated too and is left to the driver's discretion. Again, when will the authorities take action on this problem?

“Finally, I cannot understand why illegal parking is allowed. Drive through the streets in this city andyou will find vehicles parked where there's a “No parking” sign. Some may have been there for a few hours at a time but some have been observed staying for the entire evening. CITOM officials of course know this, but they seem just to look the other way. Specifics? Sanciangko Street is one, Pelaez Street is another. Add R. R. Landon, D. Jakosalem, that stretch of Bacalso Avenue from Kinasang-an to barangay Bulacao and others. In Bulacao, even the vehicles owned by the barangay have made a garage out of the street side next to the barangay hall.