To ease the suffering of motorists and commuters caused by monstrous traffic congestion in Metro Manila, I urge local government units (LGUs) to stop giving permits to organizers of fun runs and medical missions using streets as venues.
Although organizers of these events have good intentions, the goodwill they hope to generate ultimately results in negative reactions from the public they are supposed to serve. In short, they become counter-productive.
Fun runs and medical missions held on streets not only impede smooth traffic flow. They also contribute to the already chaotic state of traffic being endured daily by motorists and commuters.
In some instances, motorists lose their patience and turn into belligerent, homicidal individuals when trapped in prolonged traffic jams.
Moreover, traffic jams cost our economy billions of pesos a day largely because of missed business opportunities.
So, I am appealing to organizers of these events to refrain from staging activities which cause inconvenience to the public in general and motorists in particular.
After all, there are venues like horse-racing tracks and other sports facilities located within Metro Manila and its vicinity, and these are available when not in use by their owners for their main purposes.
LGU officials should use common sense before issuing permits to organizers of fun runs, medical missions and similar events.
—MELCHOR AMADO JR., melamadojr@aol.com