Tell it to the marines

I’ve often wondered (sometimes aloud) whether Filipinos will be more disciplined and law-abiding if better systems are in place such as in traffic management and waste disposal. More than thinking, perhaps I was hoping that if only our streets are as clean as Singapore’s or as wide as the freeway, Filipino pedestrians will be more encouraged to walk the extra mile than take a tricycle, which is healthier and cleaner, and that Filipino drivers will turn out to be patient and conscientious angels rather than the rude devils they are now.

Sometimes I can’t blame the commuters for taking and alighting a public utility vehicle at any point. I always want to alight at the point that is nearest to my destination lest I walk the dirty, dangerous and draining streets of Manila. I thought that if only our communities are safer and pedestrian-friendly, we won’t need much of jeepneys, tricycles and pedicabs. This would mean fresher air and less-congested roads. I thought that Filipinos hardly walk because the environment is not conducive to walking or that there is too much traffic because we have narrow streets.

Then I realized that there’s something wrong about this mentality of systems shaping behavior. We can’t allow our environments to dictate our own actions. It should be the other way around. It is our behavior as a people that should be shaping our systems. Unless, commuters and drivers become more concerned of orderliness and restraint, of obedience and authority, no matter how systematic we get, traffic violations and crowded sidewalks are here to stay. This I can prove empirically.

During my family’s trip to La Union for the Holy Week, there were expectedly more motorists than usual. However, bottlenecks approaching the toll gate now shouldn’t be much of a problem given the wider, better and very impressive NLEX. Just follow your lane and you will emerge from the toll gate fast and unscathed. Ever since this new NLEX was completed, traveling to the north has been such a breeze making you feel that every cent of your P200 fee is all worth it. But lo and behold, there were uncouth drivers who still carry their Manila driving orientation and cut you off. These are the drivers who stay in between lanes and cut-off in the faster lane not minding the vehicles that are patiently waiting in a long line. This time, the government has invested so much in wider and better roads but still, drivers pay no attention to road rules and design.

Another incident was when my family went to Ocean Adventure in Subic to spend time with my half-sister and her family who are vacationing from the US. I was meeting my nephew and niece for the first time and my sisters wanted to do something the kids will enjoy and learn from that’s why we decided to go to Ocean Adventure. Ocean Adventure is a nature park. They have big aquariums, a zoo, sea lion show and my favorite, whale and dolphin show. I just found out when we got there last 22 April that it was actually Earth Day. Given the park’s theme, the animal trainors in the shows made sure that their scripts incorporate reminders on how to preserve the environment and for everyone to do his part in taking care of the planet. Given these reminders and the beauty of the entire park, we were very annoyed to see left-over food and plastic wrappers in the seats when the show ended. Some of the audience can’t even manage to keep their trash and throw them in the nearest garbage bins, in a nature park! That shouldn’t be too difficult to do. Another thing, everyone knows there’s speed limit in Subic (which feels like a warp zone because of its clean sidewalks and strict traffic rules) but still some motorists get apprehended for driving beyond the limit.

Our environment must really be a reflection of who we are as a people. As long as we can’t accomplish simple tasks such as obeying rules, observing road courtesy and keeping surroundings clean, no amount of beautification and system design can change our selfish and barbaric ways.

Let me end by introducing the little people who have tugged my heart the first time I met them. Can’t believe they’re leaving soon!


Josiah Jared and Keilah Kirsten