Editorial July 2019

Editorial cartoon ni: Benjoe Brillantes

Another life has been lost in Manito due to a motorcycle accident.  Motorcycle accidents are not uncommon here where you see mostly the 2-wheeled vehicle for in-municipality transport.  There are three (3) known motorcycle-related deaths within two years, including the most recent accident in Barangay Pawa.  Sadly, three of the victims were students at the community college.  Life can so quickly be snuffed out along with the future of these individuals and their families. 

Tulo (3) ang nawaran ki buhay huli sa aksidente sa motorsiklo sa Manito puon kan nakaaging taon.  Makamundo na ang tulong ini nag-aradal  sa community college.

The problem is due to any (and a lot of times a combination) of the following:  widespread practice of allowing minors to drive, unlicensed (hence, untested) drivers, unregistered motorcycles, riders driving under the influence of alcohol, driving without helmets, and the insufficient regulation and monitoring by the local government and other responsible government agencies. 

Ang kawsa kan problema an mga minasunod:  mga drayber na menor de edad, mga drayber na daeng lisensya (kaya dai na-test kan gobyerno), mga motorsiklong bakong rehistrado, mga drayber na nakainom ki alak, mga daeng sulog na helmet, kakulangan ki regulasyon buda monitoring kan gobyerno.

One would wonder how many accidents are yet to come as more residents obtain motorcycles and as the newly concreted roads tempt more riders into driving much faster than they would under rough roads.

The government must act.  No doubt about that.  But let us not forget another important element of the problem.  Personal discipline.  Riders must be responsible to wear protective gear, follow traffic rules, drive only when properly licensed and registered, and to never drive after even just a few shot of alcohol.

Dapat igwang personal na disiplina ang mga drayber.

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A related concern that the local government should start putting its mind and hands on is in the area of tourism and development.

What is Manito’s tourism and development thrust, really?  Think of “Singko” in Barangay Hologan.  The “tourism” establishments there are loud videoke and drinking establishments, not so much unlike what we have in the poblacion.  The problem, apart from loud unregulated  music, is the fact that patrons will have to intentionally ride on their motorcycles during these leisure sessions. 

Naturally, they will go home on their motorcycles, often without helmets, under the influence of alcohol.  Thus, exposing themselves and others on the road, to danger.  This is often the case whether it’s an ordinary day or during fiestas when the drinking and drunk driving presumably reaches its peak.  Note that we have fiestas almost year-round.

        There might not be an easy answer to both related concerns;  -- so this is all the more reason for leaders to think of solutions and a clear direction, coupled with effective implementation.

-- Manito's Time, July 10, 2019