Vox Populi is a special feature of the MetroPost. In last week’s issue, it asked selected residents of Dumaguete City to react to a question about the proposed City Ordinance to close Perdices St. to vehicular traffic on Sundays and holidays to make way for pedestrians?”
“Often quoted asVox populi, vox dei (The voice of the people is the voice of God) is an old proverb in the 12th century. The results of such an interview are unpredictable at best; the selection coming from a fair cross-section of opinions.” (Wikipedia).
The question on Perdices St. was sent through a text message, and responses relayed by text or email. It proved an interesting exercise of “people empowerment” (a MetroPost maxim) for providing opportunity for those polled to express their opinions publicly.
What is the rationale behind the proposed ordinance? A respondent aptly summarizes it: “The proposal is to promote a healthier Dumaguete with reduced vehicular pollution, and with residents in better shape owing to the ‘exercise’ they will benefit from walking. It will also allow 90 percent of the population with no motorized vehicles an equitable share of the streets. When our officials built our roads, they did not give bicycles, pedestrians, seniors and persons with disabilities due consideration. Our sidewalks are ill-conceived, and used as parking spaces, and we have no bicycle lanes in our very wide streets. Making our roads vehicle-free on weekends and holidays is only fair. Roadways are not just for vehicles, they are for pedestrians, too. And to the business establishments, fret not. In the US, when streets are closed to vehicular traffic, stores in the area posted gains from 10 to 20 percent in sales. Restaurants posted more, when allowed to place tables in the street fronting their place of business. Turns out that when people walk, they tend to stop and shop more, or dine. When planned and implemented properly, it will be a win-win for all, it will make us friendlier, and Mother Earth will really smile on us favorably.”
There are other viewpoints supporting the above-statement such as those reported in the internet and online national broadsheets. PDI columnist, Dr. Ciel Habito wrote about former Bogota Mayor Enrique Peñalosa who declined a $15 billion highway program from donors because he believed that “cities are for people, not for cars” and that a “fitting symbol of democracy” is where one sees “a citizen on a $40 bicycle (being treated) just as important as one in a $40,000 car.”
Local government units have ordinances prescribing the provision of bicycle lanes, pioneered by Marikina City, Pasig City and last year, Davao City. Sen. Pia Cayetano, meanwhile, filed Senate Bill No. 2936 which “seeks to promote biking, walking as well as other sustainable and alternative modes of transportation that will not only reduce air pollution and traffic congestion, but will also encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle.”
There are also existing laws like E.O. 774, series 2008, section 9, which mandates that: “To reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, the Department of Transportation & Communications shall lead a Task Group to reform the transportation sector. The new paradigm in the movement of men and things must follow a simple principle: “Those who have less in wheels must have more in road.” For this purpose, the system shall favor non-motorized locomotion and collective transportation system (walking, bicycling, and the man-powered mini-train). The DOTC and the Department of Public Works & Highways shall immediately transform roads using the principle.”
Here’s a rundown on the 40 respondents and their opinions published in the Metropost Vox Populi. Eight were from the academe, seven from the business sector, six are medical professionals, five lawyers, three are journalists, two government officials, and one government employee, homemaker, architect, designer, and head of an environment group.
Twenty-six (65%) are in favor of the proposed ordinance; nine (22.5%) against; and five (12.5%) are neither for or against.
While majority of the respondents are supportive, with many saying “it’s long overdue”, even suggesting that the street “should be closed to vehicular traffic forever”, there are those who say “it is wishful thinking, improbable and impractical”…and “a silly idea.”
With this range of divergent opinions, it is anticipated that the public consultation scheduled by the City Council on Friday, Sept 2, at 9:00am at the Session Hall will prove to be an exciting exercise of freedom of expression as befits an academic community.
And MetroPost should continue to provide the opportunity for open, fearless and enlightened expression of views and beliefs in its Vox Populi.
