We envy the way countries in Europe and the United States, New Zealand and Singapore prioritize the health, safety and welfare of their citizens. People have ample space to walk, jog and bike, an abundance of trees to provide them with much needed shade and cleaner air. Equity as a goal is alive. Citizens are equal. In the Netherlands, even the prime minister bikes to work.
Safety is primordial. People’s right of way is respected. Cars and buses stop when they see people cross the streets. Traffic lights are operational and painted road lines are regularly maintained.
Street names and signs are distinct. Street vending and other activities that obstruct the passage of pedestrians are nowhere to be seen.
Vast mass transit systems are available, dispelling the need for additional polluting and greenhouse gas-emitting motor vehicles.
Nature is appreciated more because of readily available greenbelts and open spaces. The young and the elderly, families and friends love to converge in public parks. Even in the smallest of streets, mini-parks are created for people to have the time and space to de-stress, be still and be energized.
Observing the games of the birds, the naughty squirrels running to and fro, the beautiful dances of the moths and butterflies and the sway of the leaves on the majestic trees that surround the habitués can perhaps stir them to begin to realize what is truly meaningful in life.
Why can’t we have what people in these countries are enjoying? Why is the government not mainstreaming biking and walking as healthier options that would wean us away from a climate inducing fossil-fuel obsessed economy in our highly vulnerable country?
The seemingly unstoppable dominance of vehicles over people is not only unhealthy but adds to the still unregulated, fast growing and dangerous carbon dioxide concentration in our atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels aggravates climate change and causes more pollution, health problems and ecosystems degradation. It is high time that alternatives such as renewable energy, open spaces, bike and foot lanes and mass transit system be in place.
What does it take to embed our rights to health and safety and a healthy environment in the minds and hearts of our political authorities? The possible answer could only be a louder voice by the people in decision-making. We have to act and work together to move our government into action.
Iloilo City is making big strides in putting premiums on healthier citizenry and environment through wide sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes and pedestrianized roads. What is stopping other cities and municipalities in the country from doing the same?
Integrating social justice in our infrastructure means justice in the roads for at least 98 percent of the Filipinos who do not own vehicles. The road sharing principle that Antonio Oposa Jr and colleagues espouse is long overdue. What is needed is political will to carry it through.
Encouraging more sectors to comment on and strengthen the bill sponsored by Cebu City Councilor Nida Cabrera, “The Tindak Sugbo Lanes Ordinance” is a step in the right direction. The draft ordinance should be posted in the website of the city government and in social media for more people to participate in the crafting of the final version that will be considered in the public hearing to be made soon.
Activities where people and policymakers partner in fostering a mindset of sustainability are essential.
It is laudable indeed that Vice Mayor Edgar Labella and the councilors agreed to cross party lines to ensure the institutionalization of biking as a way of life in Cebu. Politicking should no longer be allowed to get in the way of attaining sustainability.
Serious efforts should likewise be undertaken to protect our remaining natural heritage. Tree-cutting in tree-starved, water-and-climate challenged Cebu is a horrible crime as it compromises the ability of the present and future generations to meet their own needs.
Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC) Inc requested the Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary to “conduct an investigation on this ruthless destruction of the trees in Cebu City and to file cases against those responsible for this condemnable act.” It also wrote the Cebu City mayor, vice Mayor and the Sanggunian members to remind them that “As the tree massacre happened in the jurisdiction of the city, the city government is in fact duty-bound to prosecute the offenders and not leave the matter solely to the DENR.
Surely, our environmental rights matter and so do the trees and the biodiversity they harbour and the services they provide us, but which are largely taken for granted.”
PEJC requested the Sanggunian to “have this matter investigated, recommend measures and propose ordinance to ensure a close coordination among government agencies as envisioned by the Code set forth in the principles of decentralization and in the protection of our non-negotiable right to a sustainable way of life.” It reminded Mayor Rama that “The failure by the city and the barangay to stop the brazen tree-cutting may be interpreted as gross dereliction of duties on the part of the officials concerned.
In addition, the refusal of the mayor to release the CCTV footage, as requested by the DENR-7, can be construed as an obstruction of justice and giving unfavourable treatment to the possible offending party.”
It is hoped that more citizens speak out on issues that concern them and their future. Undoubtedly and more than ever, stronger voices are needed for better governance.