TRAFFIC ISSUES

Traffic is described depending on actual condition, such as light, light to moderate, moderate, moderate to heavy, heavy, heavy to standstill, standstill to . . . invectives.

More often than not, traffic is heavy or at the least, traffic has made travel time longer, or it has constantly been the convenient but lame excuse for being late. Traffic has been the cause of altercation and worst, dealth. It is also a source of business for ambulant vendors and syndicates forcing children and disabled to beg. Corruption thrives among traffic officers and towing services. Traffic contributes to environmental pollution, urban decay and vehicular accidents. So much public funds are spent on traffic improvement infrastructures, traffic consultants, traffic personnel, traffic signs and other equipments. Traffic is a government efficiency issue, a political controversy and a social problem. It also involves some concerns on pedestrian and motorists' discipline, LGUs preparedness in responding to traffic related accidents of catastrophic magnitude, chronic colorum operations, deteriorating road conditions and increasing cost of maintenance or road upkeep as well as traffic management, open manholes, illegal humps and flashfloods.

Such issues and concerns affecting vehicular traffic are tremendously numerous and those listed or described here constitute the tip of the iceberg. Its effects and consequences on the lives of people, our economy and governance would be another story.

We must be aware that it is not all about traffic, but it is a matter of improving the lives of people, making our communities conducive to clean living and environment, increasing productivity, and building up self esteem among all stakeholders.

Not doing anything, or doing something but not addressing the problem, will in the end spell trouble which may unnecessarily cost us so much in terms of money and resources or even lives.