Traffic, as usual

Unguarded moments

Business locators in the capital city of San Fernando in Pampanga can now heave a sigh of relief after the city council decided to shelve a proposed ordinance requiring all business establishments to employ the services of security guards.

This decision came after a public hearing where businessmen led by Rene G. Romero and the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) expressed their concerns about the financial burden this would bring.

The proposed city ordinance has sparked a debate on the necessity and practicality of requiring all businesses to employ security guar ds.

While the intent behind the proposal may be to enhance security and prevent crime, the practical implications for business owners and the overall impact on the city's economy cannot be ignored.

Councilor Reden Halili, apparently sensing the snowballing opposition from various sector, promptly withdrew his proposal.

At first glance, the idea of requiring businesses to have security guards seems like a reasonable measure to ensure the safety of both employees and customers. However, when delving deeper into the issue, it becomes clear that this proposal raises significant concerns and challenges.

First and foremost was the financial burden on business owners. Running a business already comes with numerous expenses, from rent and utilities to employee wages and taxes. Adding the cost of hiring security guards could be financially crippling for many small and medium-sized enterprises. This is especially true in a time when many businesses are struggling to stay afloat due to the economic backlash brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

What about the practicality of such a requirement? If every business in the city were to hire just one security guard, the sheer number of individuals in this profession would be staggering. We could easily assemble a battalion from these security personnel put together.

Is it necessary to have such a large number of security guards in the city? I don't believe so. This could potentially create the perception of a lack of peace and order in the city, which could deter potential investors and tourists.

Not all businesses may require a physical security presence, as the level of risk and the need for protection can vary widely depending on the industry and location of the business. Though categorized as a city, there are still places in San Fernando that could still pass to be described idyllic but with businesses locators, nonetheless. They have ongoing economic activities but are usually not exposed to the risks businesses encounter in more populated areas.

The proposal also raises questions about the role and capacity of the local police force. If the intention of the ordinance is to supplement the efforts of law enforcement in preventing crime, it begs the question of whether this should be the responsibility of individual businesses or if it should be addressed through broader community policing initiatives and increased police presence in commercial ar eas.

On a larger scale, the proposal spotlights the need for comprehensive urban planning and crime prevention strategies. Rather than placing the burden solely on business owners, a more holistic approach that involves collaboration between local government, law enforcement, and the business community could yield more effective and sustainable results in maintaining public safety and security.

While the withdrawal of the proposed ordinance is a welcome development for many business owners, this issue serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and thorough analysis in policymaking. Before implementing regulations that have farreaching implications, why not conduct in-depth studies and consultations first to understand the potential consequences and, then, explore alternative solutions.

Moving forward, the city council must engage in dialogue with the business community and other stakeholders to find alternative solutions that will ensure the safety and security of businesses without imposing undue financial burdens.

In 2019, traffic navigation application Waze dubbed Metro Manila as the worst city in the world to drive in due to various traffic problems. Waze merely told the shameful truth about our ever worsening traffic situation in our country's capital.

Metro Manila has earned the distinction once again as TomTom, a Dutch navigation application technology company has branded it as the traffic capital of the world for 2023. While there are other major cities in other countries cited with worsening traffic situations, Metro Manila has earned the top spot.

Chris Martin, the lead vocalist of British rock band Coldplay who recently had their concert at the Philippine Arena is the latest to comment on the traffic gridlocks which he himself experienced. He was quoted saying: "We’ve seen some traffic. But I think you have the No. 1 in the world”.

The government should address the concern on traffic in the country particularly on metropolises and other urban areas not only because of these shameful ratings, but because of the effects to all of us. As the traffic condition in the country is getting worse, a lot on our economy is being lost.

Traffic jams mean wasted fuel, time and the opportunity to be productive. Its a great loss for businessmen, workers and students to be stucked in traffic. It also affects the psychological aspects of motorists and commuters. Vehicles in traffic snarls also significantly contribute to the air and noise pollution. Imagine the great volume of emission from vehicles as they pollute the air.

One of the reason perhaps why we are experiencing traffic is the volume of vehicles we have these days. One can easily purchase now two or fourwheeled vehicles because of installment payments for purchases. Many families do have indeed several cars in their gar ages.

While the number of vehicles on streets and highways rapidly increase, there is not much increase in the number of our roads. In addition, we do not have enough modern

mass transport system in the country like bullet trains and comfortable buses.

Add to the major causes of traffic jams is the fact that we do not have a traffic management system that is very well-suited in the country's situation. Further, we have so much crazy drivers that help aggravate the poor flow of vehicular traffic.

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In the province of Pampanga, we are experiencing worsening vehicular traffic in the cities of Angeles and San Fernando even if it is beyond rush hours. There is a notable increase too in the number of vehicles congesting highways, streets and alleys.

We often complain about traffic problems and often hope for remedies from the government.

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