Things we lose in a traffic jam

Ben Contreras .

WHAT are the things lost when you get caught in a traffic jam?

Time. When you’re supposed to reach your destination in, say, one hour, you get there in two or more.

Appointment. Because you’re late, you missed your appointment, and it has to be important.

Opportunity. When you missed your appointment with someone, you lost an opportunity to do something that could have made a difference in your life.

Productivity. If you’re a working man, productivity suffers when you come to work late.

Money. If you drive your own car, you unnecessarily spend more on your fuel.

Patience. Ah, you lost your patience when you’re on an important mission. Oh, your heart, relax if you can!

I am glad there is a growing outrage over our traffic problem in the city. Nonito Oclarit is taking the brunt of the blame. But before we forget, there was Egay Uy and today, Mario Vener Monsanto, replacing Egay Uy.

Egay Uy started very well with the help of the volunteer group Cagayan de Oro Campaigners for Road Courtesy and Discipline. Why he faltered, I leave that to Egay to answer.

Monsanto impressed us with his Cogon market area changes. But he seems to have forgotten that Cogon market is not the entire city but just a small fraction of the whole.

Fingers are pointing at RTA. I have no idea how big the organization is today. The enforcers seem to be everywhere, signifying growth in number. Big does not necessarily mean better. For one, some are political appointees that may not be qualified and fit for the job except for being a good “rahah” boys.

Do you find anything sinister in the organization? I had a few experience and so far, nothing has been done to stop it. Perhaps, this is a repetition worth telling.

My daughter got caught by the red light on a pedestrian lane and blocking the “right turn” space. The normal thing we CDO CRCD do is advise the motorist to turn right. She was left to stay there and when the light turned green, she was apprehended after crossing the street. Apparently, there was an intention to issue her a ticket for obstruction of traffic.

When I talked to the arresting enforcer, he said, “Wala man ko masayud imo diay ni anak, Sir.”

My nephew parked his motorcycle at an area that belongs to BDO. He was however approached by enforcers, telling him that he was obstructing traffic and that his motorcycle would be clamped with a fine of P2,500. It was settled when my nephew gave P500 a without receipt. I went to investigate. The arresting enforcer said, “Imo diay ni pag-umangkun, Sir?”

So what if she is my daughter and the man, my nephew. If they violated traffic laws, they deserve tickets. It is the circumstance that I didn’t like.

A friend from Manila said, “I will not drive my car again in this city.” Why? Because he was mulcted by enforcers of P500 after threatening him with a P2,500-fine.

My son came home relating his experience about being issued a ticket. His violation: parking on a pedestrian lane. He paid his fine without a complaint. I saw the ticket and it was evidently issued by someone who can’t even write clearly. The receipt from City Hall shows: “Reason for penalty: 20% traffic violation, 30% traffic violation and 50% traffic violation.” Maayo gyud diay pagkabahin.

Of course, there are good RTA enforcers. Oclarit may not be totally bad either. But this Eagle problem is making Oclarit look bad. I need not expound on this.

Who is to blame? There is a saying that no matter how long the parade is, it goes back to the Church. In other words, the blame still falls on our city officials.

What’s your beef? Say it as it is.