Tan, John Lester A.

PS0922

Articles on Pedestrian Spike Lane Act

Article#1

THE Traffic Management Center (TMC) vows to exert more effort this year to educate drivers
and pedestrians to ease up traffic congestion.

Retired Colonel Desiderio Cloribel, TMC chief, on Monday said they will conduct public safety
and courtesy seminars, because many people still do not know the law.

Cloribel added that one of their programs would focus on educating drivers and disciplining
traffic personnel.

Disciplining drivers is also the campaign of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory
Board, Land Transportation Office, Highway Patrol Group, and the Traffic Management and
Control Board.

To reinforce their campaign, Cloribel said, he hopes the rehashed jaywalking ordinance will be
implemented soon.

"Hopefully, this month or next month, we would be able to implement a jaywalking policy. But
still we are waiting on the approval for this implementation, and kung ma-fully implement natin
ito, we could be able to discipline our people to use the pedestrian lane and the overpass ... to
avoid vehicular accident," Cloribel said.

A fine of P100 will be meted for jaywalkers who will also be required to render community
service, he said.

Road marks are also going to be repainted, as most of these have already faded with time.

Cloribel added that they will also be coordinating with the City Environment and Natural
Resources for the maintenance of the overpass. (ICT)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on January 11, 2011.

Article#2
 PIA Press Release
2009/06/25

Feature: Road signs prevent accidents

by JMD Abangan

Tagum City, Davao del Norte (25 June) -- "Road signs save lives," says Police Inspector
Jabonero Napoleon of Davao del Norte Highway Patrol even as highway patrol officers are
making themselves visible along dangerous portions of national highways.

Jabonero said his men usually station themselves almost everyday along the junction of Carmen-
Braulio E. Dujali section where the newly completed two-way lane steel bridge is located and at
the Crossing Libogan (Tagum City) which, he said, is an accident-prone area.

His office is seeing to it that highway patrol officers would be able to immediately address traffic
violations and to establish police visibility which helps curb crime and prevent road accidents.

Apart from police presence, Jabonero has seen the significance of road signs in visible sizes
mounted at the right and conspicuous places to guide motorists especially at night.

To prevent accidents, road signs are critically important along blind curves, along road
intersections and along the road just before a pedestrian lane near schools, he said.

Within his command responsibility, Jabonero particularly has seen the need of much bolder road
signs along the approach of the steel bridge near Carmen-B.E. Dujali crossing.

" Road signs are really important in that area to slow down motorists because there is a (public)
school nearby," he said.

Meanwhile, motorists interviewed while filing for a driver's license agreed that road signs are
indeed important components of driving safely.

Sherlita Costelo, 35 years of age, resident of Balagunan, Sto. Tomas said road signs guide
motorists as they drive along roads of unfamiliar terrain, otherwise, accident would likely occur.

"Makatabang ang road signs labi na kung dili suweto ang driver sa dalan. (Road signs are of help
especially if a motorist is not familiar with the road he/she is taking)," she said.

Romeo Richa, 47 years of age of Mankilam, Tagum City said intersections of city roads should
have proper road signs because cases of vehicular collision usually happen along such road
portions.

"Usahay ang mga drive pataka lang padagan diha sa interection walay tan-aw tan-aw sa pikas
pikas. Daghang mahitabo bangga. (Motorist usually just drive thru road intersections without
looking at either sides. Collision usually occur there)," he said.
But road signs would be of no help if drivers would just brush aside their meanings and their
purpose 43-year-old Pasencio Tubera of Magnaga, Pantukan said.

"Basta lang sundon ang nakat-unan sa seminar (sa Land Transportation Office) makalikay gyod
sa disgrasya sa dalan. (If we only have to follow what we've learned from the seminar, we can
surely avoid road accidents.)" he said.

LTO Davao del Norte runs throughout the day an audio-video presentation regarding traffic
rules, road signs, basics of handling a motor vehicle, among other information necessary to pass
the driver's license examination.

The LTO AVP points out that not minding the road signs would usually result to road accidents
but if followed strictly, roads signs can spare lives from road accident, ease traffic and relieves
motorists of burden while driving. (PIA XI)

Article#3

PIA Press Release

2010/06/11

DPWH, PNP Ifugao gears up for "Oplan Balik Eskwela"

by Vency D. Bulayungan

Lagawe, Ifugao (11 June) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here is
now deeply involved in the 'Oplan Balik Eskwela' program in time for the opening of classes on
June 15.

In a radio interview, District Engineer Eugene Batalao of the DPWH 1st District said their office
has mobilized its maintenance division for the said purpose.

The Regional Office of DPWH CAR had directed district engineers to activate composite teams
to undertake pothole patching, clearing of obstructions along national roads leading to schools,
clearing or declogging operations of line canals, re-painting of pedestrian lane crossings.

Batalao also disclosed that the DPWH here accelerated the completion and repaired, inspected its
structural safety and removed unsafe billboards/signs near schools for the safety of the students.
These involve provision of temporary walkways/pathways on roads without sidewalks especially
on mountain sides by clearing roadside. "We should gear up for the opening of classes on the
second week of June to ensure the safety of our school children," Batalao said.

The 'Oplan Balik Eskwela' is part of the department's commitment in preparing school
classrooms, school buildings, billboards and roads safe and "well-kept in time for the school
opening".
Meanwhile, the Provincial Police Office (PPO) here conducted their physical fitness and at the
same time help in the implementation of the "Brigada Eskwela" at Mungayang Elementary
School in Kiangan.

Led by Police Provincial Director, PSSupt. Laurence Mombael, the police cleaned the school
ground with their bolos, spades and grass cutters. We joined parents, barangay officials and the
community in the cleaning to ensure that the school is ready and conducive for learning, he said.

Mombael added that the said activity is in line with the Integrated Transformation Program of the
PNP specifically on the demonstration of excellence through development of best practices.

SPO3 Marjorie Dulnuan also informed that the PNP has been maintaining the "Adopt a school
Program" and the "Cops on the School Program" as best practices. In both programs, joining the
Brigada Eskwela in the schools is one of the major activities undertaken.

Mombael noted that Brigada Eskwela seems to be a gigantic undertaking, but with the
partnership and cooperation of government, non-government organizations and the community,
the task is met easily. (PIA-Ifugao)

Article#4

Sidewalk talk

Pedestrians are supposed to walk on the sidewalk— that strip of pavement slightly raised on both
sides of the street. The intention is to provide a clear separation between pedestrian and vehicular
traffic. This provides a modicum of safety for pedestrians from getting hit or sideswiped by
vehicles. That is the main idea. However, the idea is lost to street designers.

The reality is that sidewalks are also the places where public utility companies put up their
facilities. Sidewalks are littered with electric posts, phone junction boxes, streets signs, fire
hydrants, lampposts, garbage cans and plant boxes. Why? A check with the National Building
Code reveals why: the Building Code failed to consider public utilities—that simple. Sure, it
mentions that the sidewalk should never be obstructed in any way2, but it doesn’t provide a
solution to where utility companies may put up facilities.
Another curious thing about what the Building Code says about sidewalks is that it should be
designed in proportion to the street—the width should be at least one-sixth that of the road3. The
implementing rule however does not state or imply the reason for such a proportion. A road
whose width is six meters (enough for a two-lane street), should have corresponding sidewalk
width of one meter. However, since no provision for utilities has been given, this width is
effectively reduced by public utilities.

At the very least, the study gave us new reason why a sidewalk is so named: people walk
sideways on sidewalks. You cannot walk any other way on it. Pedestrians are thus forced to walk
on the road. And motorists cite this as “lack of discipline.”
Now, I disagree with this point of view. Pedestrians simply have no choice about their
environment. They have been marginalized in their own space by insensitive environmental rules
that regard streets as the domain of cars alone. Would it not have been more sensitive for our
government to design sidewalks with people in mind? In a country where it rains more than half
of the year, and where umbrellas are a common sight, wouldn’t it have been more appropriate to
make the umbrella the basis for designing our streets instead of just vehicles? Would it be too
hard to realize that when drivers alight from their vehicles, they become pedestrians, too?

http://www.up.edu.ph/upforum.php?issue=15&i=119

Article#5
Jell Transport drivers fail LTFRB exam
By WILLIE L. CATAPAT
September 11, 2009, 3:44pm

Many drivers of a bus firm involved in the accident that killed a three-year-old girl failed the
driving test given by the Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) prompting
the agency to propose retraining of all drivers of public utility vehicles.

LTFRB chairman Alberto Suansing said the drivers' test was given to drivers of Jell Transport
bus company following the public uproar over the death of Angel Quinto and the serious injury
of her mother who were hit at a pedestrian lane by a Jell bus under the Santolan flyover in
Quezon City.

Calling the results alarming and dangerous, Suansing said that only 34 out of 82 Jell Transport
drivers passed the basic test for driving.

He said the results only showed that most of the drivers of public utility vehicles lack some
driving skills and need to undergo retraining to ensure the safety of the pedestrians, other
vehicles and their own passengers.

Under the LTFRB proposal, bus, jeepney and taxi drivers will have to retake a drivers' test and
those who fail have to undergo retraining.

Public utility drivers met the proposal with mixed reactions with some saying that it will be just a
repetition of other requirements before one can secure his professional driver's license.

“Bakit pa tayo babalik sa exams e binigyan na nga tayo ng professional license at ibig sabihin
noon ay alam natin ang wastong pagmamaneho," a taxi driver said.

Article#6
Heads up on Foreigners, Most Filipino Motorists are Ignorant on Pedestrian Lanes

May 17, 2009

Funny thing though is, we have similar definition of pedestrian lanes as to that of the universal
high way code. Take a look at the definition provided by the Land Transportation Office (LTO)
and it says that:

 PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS Motorists should be aware of pedestrian signal indications. They

are used to control pedestrian traffic at intersections where there is conflict between vehicle and
pedestrian movement. While these pedestrians are crossing the roadway, they have the right-of-
way over all vehicles. A pedestrian facing the green walk signal may proceed
across the roadway in the direction of the signal. A pedestrian facing a steady flashing “Don’t
Walk” signal should not start to cross the roadway. If a pedestrian has entered the roadway on the
“walk” signal and the “Don’t Walk” signal appears, he/she should proceed as quickly as possible
to a safe area. While doing this, pedestrians still have the right of way over vehicles. Also a
pedestrian should not cross the roadway when vehicular traffic has flashing green signal, unless
he/she is facing a “Walk” signal.

Okay, going back, the reason why I have yet to make another article about this is because, it
seems that our motorists and traffic enforcers alike are ignorant of this fact.

About two weeks ago, Jae almost got into a fight with a stupid motorist. My fault is that I wasn’t
able to get the freaking plate number of the stupid van. We have to cross the street to get to the
office. The good thing is that there is a pedestrian lane there and as such we always use the zebra
lanes whenever crossing the street, as it is intended for pedestrians and for our own safety. Well
when we were around two feet away from the building, which means we were almost at the end
of the pedestrian lane, this stupid driver came careening, honking malevolently at us. Indeed
blowing his horn as if there was an emergency. Jesus Christ! Knowing our rights, of course we
didn’t budge, after all, vehicles SHOULD SLOW DOWN whenever they approach pedestrian
lanes. Well, the stupid driver glared at us, and Jae glared back to him, not just that he pointed his
forefinger on his temple, telling the driver to use his head or brains, if he had any, which I doubt
because of the circumstances. Gee, I thought it would end there, the stupid driver still thought
that we were the ones at fault, so what he did was he slowly pulled over while giving us the dirty
finger hoping that we’d pick fight with him. Had I not been there, knowing Jaean, I know that he
would indeed pick fight with him, hoping to instill some senses into the baboon driver who is
three times bigger than him. I know it would be futile though, as the driver is definitely ignorant
of what pedestrian lanes are for.

Now at this very moment while doing some research about pedestrian lanes I encounter a blog by
some moron who calls pedestrians stupid. I don’t want to repost or even copy a part of his blog
as there may be legal implications. I have to make some research first if it would be possible for
me to cite his domain for this purpose.

Well, to those foreigners who are planning to visit the Philippines, make a mental note that most
Filipino motorists are morons and they don’t know what pedestrian lanes are for. Maybe for
them, it was just a design painted on the road so there would be change on scenery. Just a piece
of pie though, be extra careful, most Filipino motorists are morons! It’s a fact!

Article#8

CAR AND GAS FIRMS SUPPORTS THE 4TH AUTO REVIEW RUN

THE country’s major car firms and petroleum companies have closed ranks to give a big boost to
the 4th Auto Review Run for Road Safety and Courtesy all set to hit the road on Saturday at the
Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Companies such as Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Isuzu, Volvo, Great Wall Motors, Ford, Kia, Chevrolet,
Nissan, Mini and gas giants Caltex, Shell and Petron are helping to raise public awareness on
responsible driving through this weekend’s running event, Auto REVIEW host and race
organizer Ron de los Reyes announced yesterday.

“These companies realize the importance of our drive to keep our country’s thoroughfares safe
for both motorists, commuters and pedestrians alike as more and more vehicles occupy our
roads,” de los Reyes said.

The 10k, 5k and 3k races will have their respective out-and-back routes from the Global City’s
28th St with veteran race organizer Rudy Biscocho serving as technical race consultant.

Also supporting the race whose advocacy aims to nurture a new generation of safety-conscious
and courteous motorists are Goodyear, Automobile Association Philippines, AGC glass, Manila
North Tollways Corporation, Pocari Sweat and Maynilad Water, with special participation from
Toyota, Honda, Land Rover, BMW, Jaguar, One-Tagaytay Place, Bluewater Day Spa, 7-Eleven,
Walter bread, and Tapa King, de los Reyes added.

The event will be a virtual mini car show as the car companies display their latest vehicle
offerings and their cars’ safety features.

Media partners include the Philippine Star, Business Mirror, Takbo.ph, Runner Speak, Design
Hub, Front Runner, Total Fitness and NBN4.

http://www.designhub.ph/autoreview/news.html