12.11.07

Manila traffic


One of the most interesting topics my husband and I have while taking the bus to and from work is our own funny ways to solve the country’s problems. We would discuss and laugh about the depressing traffic, corrupt officials, the misleading media, the surging unemployment rate, waste management and the like. Now, don’t get pissed. We care about our country in our own little ways, like religiously paying our monthly tax dues.

Today, we were trapped in another Monday traffic because we left home a little late than we usually do. Monday is the worst traffic day of the week; it’s not this crowded during the rest of the week. I’d always wonder why all these people packing the roads suddenly show up during Monday mornings! Okay, let’s count in the city university students who spend weekends at their hometowns (in the province). Let’s also add in the countless jobseekers (of both local and overseas employment), who thought Monday was perfect for job hunting time. Who else? I think those I mentioned above are not only the reasons for the population surge in the highway.

So, in the midst of sweaty, almost angry crowd inside the hot bus, my husband and (mostly) I aired out our frustrations. We witnessed the complete idleness of the left lanes (Southward), wishing those guys wearing gray uniforms would think harder. We sighed (intentionally loud) in frustration to the bus driver who still loads up his car despite hearing his engine’s cry of disapproval. We shrugged off our sweating polo shirts and faces, thinking that being reactive to this situation will just worsen our moods. Our hurting legs (because we stood for like miles) wanted to ask us, “Where the hell did your tax payments go?”

Cavite is becoming the most crowded place in NCR because new subdivisions targeting the working-class market are sprouting all over the area, specifically the towns nearest Manila. Laguna subdivisions seemed exclusive to the high-earning market, while Bulacan isn’t much participating in this again rising real estate industry.

These people who paid their tax dues regularly deserve more than just a narrow space in between the bus seats.

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