Twitter users were not too happy with MMDA Chairman Danny Lim’s suggestion to expand the number coding scheme so that cars sporting certain license plates would not be allowed on the streets twice a week, instead of just once a week, depending on the last number on their car plates.
The Metro Manila Development Authority chief told the House Committee on Transportation on Tuesday that such a move would further reduce the number of vehicles using the streets.
“Siguro naman pwedeng konting sakripisyo pa para sa lahat. Baka pwedeng gawing two days a week ang hindi paggamit ng sasakyan. Sa ngayon kasi po, nagkataon na talagang nagsamasama ‘yung problema, dami ng sasakyan, sabay-sabay din po ‘yung ongoing constructions (Perhaps we can make a small sacrifice for all. Maybe we can not use our cars for two days a week. It just so happened that the problems snowballed at once – there are too many vehicles, and the ongoing constructions are being done simultaneously),” Lim said.
But Netizens are having none of it.
Twitter user Richard Motas said, “Wala naman problema sa gusto mo mangyayari e. Kaso ang tanong, maayos ba ang mass transportation mo (There’s no problem with what you want to happen. But the question is, is your mass transportation efficient)?”
Xanthophobia added, “This is anti-middle-poor. The rich will only buy a third car.”
Engineers of MNL echoed this sentiment: “Rich people will just buy more cars. Why don’t we just fix mass public transport (trains and buses) and decongest the Metro?”
“I like how they don’t even have the idea that some households have two or more cars,” Chenelyn Mercado commented.
“The process of purchasing a vehicle should be highly regulated. Those who are able will just buy another car to use on a non-coding day,” suggested Raizza F. Videña.
RA Siy added, “Volume reduction is only a first-order effect. Coding makes people buy more cars and drive more. Evidence from all over the world shows this.”
Francesca Litton also asked, “But is public transport safe and efficient? Are licenses issued only to individuals who know and understand road rules?”
“Do these people drive? Let alone take public transportation? They have no idea of real road conditions and commuter experience ano?” Cersei Ng Lechon wondered.
As for forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun, she had this to say: “That’s all they can think of? How stupid.”
