“If judges and justices are honest in their declarations on the SALNs, why should we be afraid? The SALNs can only be used against us if we don’t disclose the truth. It’s as simple as that.”
by Ducky Paredes
I came upon a presentation on traffic in Metro Manila from Benjamin de la Peña and Dinna Louise C. Dayao through their emails (bdelapena.online@gmail.com and dinnadayao@gmail.com).
They note that two huge road projects are being considered for Metro Manila — The MMDA’s P10 billion Skybridge – 8.3 kilometers long utilizing the esteros from San Juan to Makati; and a P50 billion elevated EDSA — 22 kilometers long on top of the present EDSA.
They argue that “traffic congestion is just a symptom. The real problem we need to solve is ‘How do we make it easier to get around Metro Manila?’”
Acording to them, 8 out of 10 people in Metro Manila take public transportation.
They ask: “Will the new road benefit them? Or will it serve the needs of the few people who own and drive cars? Will it connect people to where they need to go?
“Makati is still the largest center of employment in Metro Manila. Yet newer hubs of employment—such as Bonifacio Global City, Eastwood, and the Mall of Asia—are also growing fast. Will the proposed road also serve the people going to these hubs?
“On the other hand, three out of every four people on the road are not on their way to work. They are going to schools, shops, hospitals, and other places. Will the new road serve their needs, too? How will the route of the proposed road affect the existing road network?
“Elevated highways will need off ramps and on ramps. If the connections of the new road to the existing network are not planned well, the ramps will generate traffic jams of their own. They may clog roads that work well now but will be flooded by new traffic trying to get to the ramps.”
They ask: “How will the new road fit into a long-term vision for Metro Manila? Will it put our megacity on the path to a more sustainable future? Will it encourage more dependence on fossil fuels? Or will it encourage more sustainable forms of transportation like walking and biking?”
They argue that new and more roads is not the solution. The problem, as they see it, is that Metro Manila grew “too fast, too soon.”
When we see traffic congestion, we think that this is because there are too many cars in Metro Manila. The easy solution that presents itself is: Build More Roads!
They argue: “Every flyover on EDSA was built to relieve traffic congestion. The flyovers helped, at first, but the congestion quickly returned.
“We built C-5 to decongest EDSA, and it did, at first. But soon C-5 also quickly filled up with traffic.”
What did we learn from this experience? Would you believe, as the study suggests that: “New roads encourage more people to use their cars. Traffic experts call this ‘induced demand.’ Adding more road capacity actually induces more people to drive, which, in turn, creates more congestion.”
What is actually happening is that not only are more cars on the road but more motorcycles, affordable to anyone with a monthly income, are also on Metro Manila’s roads.
I have to agrees with them that we need to ask tough questions now before spending mega-billions on building still another road. We need to see further into Metro Manila’s future before committing to another one man’s folly.
The city planners in the 1930s had great plans for Metro Manila. Sadly, these were brushed aside due to greed and ambition of others who had plans for themselves and lands they had bought cheap and which they sold as subdivisions.
They profited from our runaway population — at the country’s expense. Will Metro Manila end up as a megapolis of condominiums with thin ribbons of slowly moving parking lots packed with cars going nowhere?
* * *
If the congressmen-prosecutors did exactly as the Chief Justice did with their SALNs, does that justify Renato Corona’s perfidy?
Cebu RTC Judge Meinrado Paredes does not think so. He says: “I see no reason why judges and justices should be exempted.
“If judges and justices are honest in their declarations on the SALNs, why should we be afraid? The SALNs can only be used against us if we don’t disclose the truth. It’s as simple as that.”
Republic Act 3019 (Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) say that the public has the right to know these assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.
Paredes said a scrutiny of the SALN of government employees and officials helps prevent graft.
“The SC resolution on not making public the SALNs of judges and justices should be revoked. We cry for transparency. We (judiciary) should set an example,” he said.
* * *
Renato Corona’s SALN says that he borrowed P11 million from the company that was owned by his wife and her relatives — Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc. — which he paid back diligently over the years until it was extinguished. This could be his explanation of where he got the money to pay for all those expensive real estate purchases.
When one borrows from a corporation, there ought to be a resolution from the Board of Directors approving the loan. Is there? The company is no more. Its registration was revoked by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2003, the same year Corona got what he termed his “cash advance.” The company ceased to operate legally by 2007. So, did he borrow from his wife? Is that his explanation for the “cash advance” he used to purchase so many pricey condos and lots?
No wonder that the wife’s relatives (owners of the company) now say that they never knew that they lent Renato anything. They never did. He took the P11 million from the conjugal cookie jar! That’s why it was a “cash advance.” If it was truly a loan from an actual company, why not call it by its proper name — a loan?
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hvp 01.24.12
One Comment
Metro Manila has highly saturated traffic even during non-peak hours. I think road widening would not be effective to ease the worsening traffic congestion. The main problem in Metro Manila is that there are too many private vehicles, while public transportation is not well managed.
To relieve traffic congestion in Metro Manila, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) must call for office and school hours to be staggered accordingly. It is suggested that school starting hours be staggered according to level, where elementary and pre-schools start at 5:00 a.m., and those in high school and college at 7 a.m. in order to ease rush hour traffic snarls. On the other hand, it is further suggested that office starting hours be likewise staggered wherein majority of government offices shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., while those in private offices from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mall hours should be from 12 noon to 12 midnight.
Another suggestion to address the chronic traffic congestion in Metro Manila is to improve the traffic management by strictly implementing traffic rules and regulations not only against erring drivers but also against stubborn pedestrians who refuse to use pedestrian lanes and sidewalks. Strictly implement “No jaywalking” and construct more overpasses or underpasses. Likewise strictly implement “No loading/unloading” and designate bus/jeep stops at least one (1) kilometer apart and construct more sidewalks with fences on the side. Also strictly implement “No parking” along national roads and encourage every barangay to have pay parking area or pay car park buildings.
Let us revive the 70’s “Sa ikauunlad ng bayan, disiplina ang kailangan.”
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