Pagadian is super sikat when Sen Miriam Defensor Santiago urged an investigation through Senate Resolution No. 309 entitled RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND LOCAL, GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF NOISE AND AIR POLLUTION IN PHILIPPINE CITIES.
The resolution stated that there is a study which attributed the noise and air pollution in Pagadian City to motor vehicles, specifically the tricycles and motorcycles plying the major routes of the city, motorized tricycles being the principal mode of transportation around the city.
It further stated that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), noise pollution can affect human health and well-being in a number of ways, including annoyance reaction, sleep disturbance, interference with communication, performance effects, effects on social behaviour, and hearing loss and that according to the Department of Health (DOH), pollution emitted by motor vehicles accounts for 80 percent of the overall pollution level in the country, the DOH also stated that TSPs, even in small doses, affect breathing and cause eye irritation and 'serious lung problems such as lung cancer and the government has the duty to protect the people from the harmful effects of noise and air pollution by implementing timely measures to minimize the incidence of pollution.
The resolution asks for an investigation regarding the failure of the government to protect the citizens from pollution.
LIP SERVICE
People of Pagadian just shrugs the resolution off as the local government especially with the Committee on Environment in the Sangguniang Panlungsod and the Committee on Public Transportation and the Franchising Board do not have the galls and the conviction to truly serve the purpose of their being public officials. They are afraid that they will be dumped by the tricycle drivers and their families during the elections as it is tantamount to depriving these drivers their living.
They should have thought of this long before that instead of phasing the mode of transportation in a blink of an eye, there should be an alternative. In my recent trip to Puerto Princesa City, the same problem, tricycles and they want them off the road. What the local government did, under the auspices of Mayor Edward Hagedorn was to offer an alternative. The city bought tricycles and jeeps run by batteries in exchange of the noisy and polluting tricycles but the tricycles must first organize themselves into viable cooperatives and the same entity was also given a place at the city gymnasium where a lot of businesses including a bank were situated.
But the problem is, the coffers of the city are empty as the development fund to be used for the sound alternative has already been exhausted with loans of the commercial center, the agora and others. So, how will they then provide for the alternative, loan again?
There is an immediate solution to at least, lower the incidence of noise pollution. Take the case of Olongapo City where tricycles are color coded. Meaning to say, they can only take the route of their colors, but not in major thoroughfares.
Phase out all rotten sidecars and cancel the franchises of those who have used the same for quite some time. This can be done through the police power of the local government to promote the health of people and the common good. But this takes a lot of guts and balls, which I am not seeing in the present set-up, even the Franchising Board Chairperson.
WANTED: TRUE CONVICTION OF A LEADER
The problem on noise pollution which could cause deafness among kids can still be abated, there needs an alternative, a win-win solution to address this concern. If only these leaders would learn how to think and listen not just do all the talking.
May they be reminded that we are the taxpayers paying you to do what is right and not own the position that has never been yours.
So, what is your take?
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