Comments on New Order
Based on what I hear on TV and radio interviews, there are varying opinions on how to deal with parked cars on the “city streets.” There are those who say to start with the main roads first; then go to the side streets.
For what I understood from the Sona message and order of President Duterte is to “reclaim all the city streets” turned parking areas, stagnating the free flow of commuters because precisely, of parked cars on the streets of Metro Manila that also hampers ambulances and firetrucks in cases of emergency.
In my opinion, Edsa is packed full of cars causing heavy traffic, precisely because the side streets (called feeder roads) are clogged up with parked cars. Due to this, everybody goes to the main roads for fear of getting caught on a side street and locked-in without being able to get out.
Bakit nagkakabara-bara ang mga kalsada? Kasi nga ginawang parking area ng mga kotse at sasakyan. Hindi sana mababara ang mga sidestreets in Metro Manila kung malapad ang side streets at isang side lang ang puwedeng parkingan. Ang problema, both sides ang pinapayagan, leaving one single lane in the middle; at pag nagsalubong, hindi malaman kung papaano magbibigayan. It creates a “stand-still situation.”
According to information which I must admit I did not know anything before about it, in Japan before one can buy a car must seek a permit to buy a car from the authority to make sure that he or she has a garage or at least a driveway in his/her residence to park the car for cars are prohibited to park on the streets, side-streets much less on national roads.
I am of the opinion that clearing all the streets by disallowing cars to park, simultaneously, makes more sense for vehicles can take short-cuts on side streets which also lead to where they are going. Unfortunately, as things are, many do not experiment and don’t dare go through narrow side streets for fear of being immobilized or better still “paralyzed” because many have been caught on a city side streets unable to pass through or to back out, in fear of being held-up or disturbed by gangs drinking in the sidewalk; or whatever they fear to encounter.
The barangays must be on the look-out if they are to make a success of this New Order. Unfortunately, there are barangays that are beholden to the mayors and they cannot perform what we expect them to do; what they should and must do. Time will tell.
The good and orderly Barangays have an Homeowners Association. Many don’t have functioning Barangay which calls for consultation for any issue that concerns their area of responsibility.
Take for example the Barangay Sacred Heart where we, our neighborhood falls under. The past Barangay Chairman who was in office for many years never organized nor help form an Homeowners Association. Had our Barangay Sacred Heart a functioning Homeowners Association with concerned, deserving and responsible members of the community, we could have preserved the ancestral home of my parents right inside our family compound here at 99 Scout Gandia Street for over 70 years. It was demolished for not having an Homeowners Association. Like a thief in the night, then Barangay Captain just issued and signed a permit by himself to demolish my parents ancestral home and kept it a secret that such order was signed six months before the demolition in April 2018. And the Kagawads were not consulted, nor called for a meeting to sign a resolution that they’ve allowed the demolition for the community to know about it.
I must admit that the Barangay Laging Handa is a perfect example of how a Barangay must function, always for the good of the entire community, not for the good of some. To give an example, a 3rd highrise 21 storey condo/hotel also on Scout Gandia, got a “Special Permit” from the City Council at the same time the property of my parents was also given one and the other also in the corner of Scout Gandia Street corner Tomas Morato Avenue, both being dugged like hell. But the other along Scout Gandia on the side of Barangay Laging Handa, objected to the excavation, also given a “Special Permit” by the Quezon City Council. The Homeowners Association fought back and stopped the intended project. Now only a hole on the ground mark the site.
The officers of Laging Handa Homeowners Association fought back and won. And not only that, they banned all 21 storey buildings not only on the side streets but banned as well the construction of tall buildings more than five floors along Tomas Morato Avenue on their side. The Homeowners Association’s motto addressed to the Barangay Captains: “We elected and put you in office. But we are the ones who can remove you.” I believe we are unfortunate na hindi kami nasakop ng Barangay Laging Handa. We belong, unfortunately, on the wrong side of the fence – just a fence away!
Secretary Eduardo Año, DILG: Tulungan po ninyo kami. Hirap na hirap na po kami to put order in our respective community. Despite our cases filed in court, the excavation continues despite the litigation in court. The group we sued resort to dilatory tactics in order to advance their abuses until we have no choice but to give up.
At pag hindi po na-control ang City Council from issuing “Special Permits” to put up 21 storey buildings in a residential area, the residential areas will suffer from shortage of water, traffic and great danger in case of strong earthquakes because the residences next to the massive excavation have been shaken by the pounding of heavy equipments that weakened the foundations of residential homes built 50, 60, 70 years ago. As of now, because of the excavation, the residential homes beside have suffered destruction of pipes, kitchen and bathroom tiles falling; and the sewages clogged up.
By the way, what’s so special in issuing “Special Permits”? “Special” for them, but not for us in the neighborhood.
The newly elected Barangay officials last year have not formed a Homeowners Association up to now. Nasabihan ba sila na huwag na muna hanggang matapos itong dalawang 21 storey buildings in our residential area to finish? Just asking!
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