Tax on gasoline to reduce traffic and pollution

TRAFFIC and pollution are two of the worst problems of our society for decades now. In primetime news every night, traffic news has always acquired an air time side by side the weather news. In other words, traffic has become as newsworthy as the weather news.

In Metro Manila traffic, you will see bumper to bumper condition of numerous jeepneys and buses, and private vehicles tailing behind. Trucks are banned on certain hours but you will sometimes hear violators even causing accidents.

All of these cause unabated pollution despite calls for smoke belching mechanisms. And, trains, not to mention, are always jam- packed too, despite of almost daily malfunction announcements. People can’t help it though. Either they want to come early to work or avoid traffic by land, or they want to save because it is cheaper.

Traffic and pollution are not Metro Manila issues only. In a developing city that are of capital cities standards like Metro Manila, Iloilo City is already experiencing traffic issues with less pollution though. Also, in our hometown somewhere in Capiz province, you will witness this pressing traffic on a daily basis already. I don’t like to blame it to progress for in progress must include road widening and/or enforcement of effective traffic rules and regulations that will also address pollution. Our community which roads have remained narrow must have overlooked, or our ancestors might have been either too patriotic to overlook change or too sentimental to keep what they claim to be the charm of the municipality for hundreds of years to come. But the situation is not doable anymore. There needs some changes to at least do away with unnecessary fights between commuters for not following traffic rules and regulations.

Traffic and pollution are societal concerns that need to be resolved immediately. Some people say tax on gasoline is one best solution. I beg to disagree though. It may help reduce but I strongly not suggest it. It is because the vulnerable sector, the marginalized sector, will be highly affected. With tax on gasoline, the prices of commodities will also go up. Isn’t it along news on traffic every day the news on gasoline rising and rolling back? And, with every increase of gasoline price is the consequent plunge of prime commodities - fare, rice, fish, meat, milk, oil, etc. If the lower class is already having a hard time making both ends meet, how else and longer can they survive with an added amount they have to work hard on to survive?

There may be little drawbacks on increasing tax on gasoline but there are drawbacks that will kill those who are barely getting through at this point. What I can suggest though are these. Instead of tax on gasoline, why not taxed vehicle distributors and suppliers, and regulate loan mechanisms. Loans are tempting to

buyers or car enthusiasts but more cars mean more traffic. Whether cars should be regulated by years of usage like what Japanese do who confiscate cars after five years of use, or distributors and suppliers to eliminate loan programs so people will value to purchase more. In other words, only those with money can buy; those who want to buy have to earn it. They will buy only when they need it. Also, I suggest we only keep buses on city streets for public transport, and more trains as another mode. I suggest we do away with pedicabs, tricycles and jeepneys. Again, this is a suggestion on city streets or metro. This is a successful practice in Japan and in other countries, although, we have to have an effective bus and train system first to implement this too. In this way, we reduce traffic; and in having no traffic means no pollution. Also, we promote a healthy lifestyle for in short distances, people can start walking; and walking is good for the heart. If we can walk to short distances too, we can save. I think people in the Philippines are only prompted to commute because others do commute. I think they are embarrassed not to commute so instead of actually saving, they have to squeeze in their limited budget, the budget for fare.

In municipalities where obviously train will be a big deal, we can have tricycles for inter-barangay transport, and pedicab for within the municipality proper. Jeepneys