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Thursday, October 10, 2013
Quality Public School Teacher (2)
25 July 2013
Today’s column is the continuation of the story of Miss
Sabrina Ongkiko, a product of the School of the Holy Spirit as well as the
Ateneo de Manila University, and who gave up her plans of pursuing a medicine
career in favor teaching at the Culiat
Elementary School.
Her story, the first part of which was featured in last
Tuesday’s column (PJ, 23Jul’13), was brought to my attention by my daughter
Consuelo through a “TEDx ADMU video” she sent me, and where Miss Ongkiko, a
former Jesuit volunteer, talked of her experience as a public school teacher.
The initial reaction of most to Miss Ongkiko’s decision was
that of surprise, amazement and disappointment. Her economist father asked
about Return on Investment. The Department of
Education personnel who processed her application suggested that she consider
teaching in a private school because it would seem more appropriate given her
credentials. Then even her co-teachers in Culiat Elementary School were
discouraging her because they were worried that she might have difficulty handling
the students in their school.
The said reactions apparently did not discourage the young
teacher who viewed the comments as reflective of the not too good state of
public schools in the country. Despite the discouragement, she persevered and
she says she looks at the public schools as hope (for the young Filipinos), the
public school teachers as companions, and the public school students as good.
She acknowledged that based on her experience, a lot of
what’s being said of the public school teachers are true. Indeed, there are those that are selling ice
candy (“tocino” is no longer in vogue),
those that hurt students, and those that do not teach well. However, she also
declared that there are a lot more public school teachers who care for the
students’ welfare and have real concern for their learning, as compared to
those who do not take their responsibilities seriously. Usually, the
responsible teachers are busy performing their tasks quietly, so what’s
commonly picked up and publicized by media are the bad things that are done by
the few irresponsible ones. This (probably unintentional) bias somehow does not
help in improving the image of the public school teachers, the great majority
of whom are passionate with their responsibilities.
She only hopes that media would meet the likes of her CES co-teachers
who over the years, and despite difficult conditions, stay dedicated to their
responsibility of educating the young. One manifestation of such dedication was
when they decided to form a support group upon realizing that they have to
cooperate with, and assist, each other to be able to sustain the improvements
in the classrooms for the students. They named the group “Kape’t Guro” which means Coffee Teacher’s Sessions, but which also
signifies “Kapit Guro” which emphasizes that they all have to link arms to
enable them to achieve their goals.
Teacher Sabrina also acknowledged that a lot of perceptions about public school students are true, such
as, being deficient in reading even when they are already in their 5th
grade; going to school hungry; attending school in the afternoon after working
in the morning; having to walk for kilometers just to be able to go to school.
Difficulties such as these definitely pose detrimental
effects on the students’ ability to learn, but this did not deter her from devising
and developing means of accomplishing her task of educating them. One technique
she adopted was “…believe…to see” (as opposed to “to see is to believe”), and
for which she related her experience with 5 classes that were assigned to her.
The said classes belonged from the middle to the lowest sections,
and she noticed that the students were not motivated because they somehow felt
incapable of passing. So one of the first things she did was to change their
frame of mind by letting them know that she believed they were all good and
capable, and treated all of them as the brightest, and their classes as 1st
sections.
She also got the students to agree to set a goal of “papasa kami!” for themselves, and to
aim for perfect scores in their quizzes. They also verbalized these targets
everyday through the entire school year and even posted slogans on their
classrooms’ walls. The idea was that through the daily repetition of the goal,
the students would get conditioned to believe it themselves and do it. The said
technique worked because little by little the grades and confidence of her
students went up, especially in their science and English subjects.
She also related about what she and her students consider as
their best day ever. That was the time that everyone in one class of 50
students (considered as the next to the last section) passed their quiz on electrical
conductors and insulators. Everyone rose from their seats and clapped in happiness when they
learned that they have somehow achieved their goal of “papasa kami!” One student even happily exclaimed that her heart
was beating so fast (“kumakabog ang puso”)
while they were determining how the entire class fared in the quiz. So she
emphasized to the student not to forget that feeling of happiness, which is not
only because the student passed, but because everybody passed, and that
everyone’s happy for achieving their group’s goal. She also felt, after
witnessing the reactions of her students, that they have started to believe in
their capabilities, and that change in their self-confidence, little by little,
was happening.
Proudly mentioned also was a student named Darwin, who
belonged to the first batch of students she taught in CES. He was then in grade
5, and excelled in science subjects, so he was chosen to tag along when his
teacher gave a talk at the Ateneo. Upon seeing the wide Belarmine field, Darwin
started running around it (probably elated because they didn’t have such a
ground in CES), and when he finally stopped, told his teacher that he would
study in the school. Now, she says, Darwin is in his 2nd year, and
an honor student at the Ateneo High School; also, the first ever from CES. She
also made it a point to mention to her dad, who was in the audience, that this
is the answer to the ROI that he asked about when she decided to be a public school
teacher.
Teacher Sabrina mentioned that it is the dream of public
school teachers, and students, that public schools would be as good as private
schools so that students will no longer have to aspire for, or dream of,
entering a private school, like the Ateneo. Although she concedes that this
possibility is presently a remote one, she still believes, as a teacher, that
gradual changes towards this aspiration can happen simply by changing the way
teachers view students. She believes that a teacher should first truly believe
that students are capable, before being able to get them to show that they
truly are. In her own words, it has to be “to believe is to see”, instead of
“to see is to believe.”
Towards the end of her talk, Teacher Sabrina said that if
one would like to really know, or understand, the country, one should teach in
a public school. This is because the public school is where the bulk of the
country’s students are, and their daily struggles and way of life, together
with that of their parents, which the teacher witnesses on a daily basis
reflects the reality of life for most Filipinos. And, that each success
achieved by them, as well as the self-confidence it generates, somehow also builds on the country’s success, as well
as on the return of confidence in the future of the Philippines.
It is elating to learn of such a selfless act by a young
filipino whose view of ROI is not that of self-gain but gain for that sector of
the country’s youth. This to my mind,
once amply developed, would have a profound impact on equalizing opportunities,
as well as the eventual development of equitable progress in the country.
The technique she developed, the way I appreciate it,
encourages the young students to grow their self-confidence, gain knowledge, aim
for higher aspirations, as well as develop a sense of community; attributes
which I’ll venture to classify into two categories: Intellectual competence and
humane values. And I believe that it would do the country good if this
technique is replicated not only by the other public school teachers, but by
the private school teachers as well. After all, it would be of higher benefit
for the country if all of the young citizens, and not just a selected few,
would be endowed with intellectual competence and humane values; and achieving
such seem to jive with the essence of one maxim I’m somehow reminded of, and which
says that, in order to change a country you have to change the way the people
think.
I salute Public School Teacher Sabrina Ongkiko; by my
measure, she fits well into the mold of what our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal
terms as “bella esperanza de la patria mia!“ or “Handsome hope of my
Fatherland!”
Comments/reactions
will be appreciated and can be sent through this writer’s email
(sl3.mekaniko@gmail.com) or through this writer’s blog
(http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
Quality Public School Teacher (1)
22 July 2013
The story of a young public school teacher who currently
teaches at the Culiat Elementary School inspired the writing of this article.
She is Miss Sabrina Ongkiko, a product of both the School of the Holy Spirit in
Quezon City, and the Ateneo de Manila University in Loyola Heights.
I was made aware of her story through a “TEDx ADMU Ignite
the Nation” video, titled “Our Return on Investment” (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151709575874686&set=vb.804644685&type
=2&theater) shared to me by my daughter Consuelo who herself also received
from SHS, both her elementary and high school education, and also from Ateneo,
both her undergraduate and post graduate diplomas.
Incidentally, TED, which is an acronym for Technology,
Entertainment and Design, is a private non-profit organization devoted to
spreading worthwhile ideas, started in 1984 by Richard Wurman, but since 2002 owned
by Sapling Foundation. This is done through annual conferences held in the USA,
Europe and Asia, where the “world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers” (e.g.
nobel prize winners, and the likes of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Bill Gates, Larry
Page and Sergey Brin of Google, etc.) are challenged to tell their stories
about their ideas/life within an 18 minute slot. The best of these talks (numbering
about 1,500 as of May 2013, and growing weekly) which by now has broadened its
scope beyond the original 3 disciplines, are then made available online worldwide
for free since 2006, through TED.com, and as of November 2012, these talks,
reportedly, have already been viewed 1
billion times. Meanwhile, TEDx is that program of the foundation that gives individuals,
communities and organizations (like the ADMU) the opportunity to independently
organize TED-like events at the local level (http://www.ted .com/pages/about).
Going back to Miss Ongkiko’s story, I understand that she
worked as a Jesuit volunteer immediately after finishing her BS Biology and was
assigned for one year in Iloilo where she gave education situationers to the
youth. This exposure made her aware of the problems in the field of public
education like the shortage in classrooms, chairs and textbooks; the small
percentage of students who complete elementary education, and even a smaller
percentage finishing high school; and the effort and hardship experienced by
the parents and students in pursuing their hope of achieving their dreams.
Back in Ateneo after completing her assignment as a Jesuit
volunteer, Miss Ongkiko was asked by her mentor if she wanted to be a teacher,
and described the kind of teacher needed for the country. Surprised, she asked
why she was being asked that, when her mentor was well aware that she was then preparing to enter medical school. To
this, the mentor, while looking her straight in the eye, told her that she (the
mentor) “believes that Miss Ongkiko can be a good teacher”. And because her
mentor believed she can, she decided to become one and is now experiencing
firsthand the problems that she only used to relate when, as a Jesuit
volunteer, she was giving education situationers to the youth.
In her almost 18 minutes talk, Miss Ongkiko started by
reading a letter, to her CES students, that she purposely prepared for the
occasion. She told them that the glitter in their eyes reveal that they are
happy being in school, and enjoying learning; and that because of this, she
does not believe that they are incapable of coping with the challenges of, or
no longer interested in attending, school. She advised them not to listen to
comments that they are not capable, or good for nothing, because it is not
true. She stressed that they are at present still very young, and that it won’t
be long before they’ll realize, and be surprised with, their potential. They also
should not allow themselves to be the cause that would restrain their potential
from developing.
She emphasized that she believes in them because she knows
they are good, and that they are capable of achieving what they aim for
themselves. She assured them of her help for as long as they, in turn, help
themselves and encouraged them to hold on tight to their dreams and never give
up. Someone’s dream, she said, should start while still young (and not when
already old), and for which its achievement should be worked on and strived
for; and in the same breath committed her participation in the effort.
She also acknowledged that there is no certainty with the
future but advised her students to just do their best now, and together they
can eventually reach set goals. She also expressed hope that during the time
that she is their teacher, her students would realize that there is a safe
place (school) that they can go to when troubled, and that there is someone who
is concerned about them, ready to accept them and who cares for them.
She advised them not to grow up being angry, because despite
life being harsh and difficult, it could still be rich with love and the
difficulties lighten by hope.
In closing, she thanked her students because even if she is
the teacher, she also learned a lot from them. She feels that because of them,
she became a better teacher and also a better person. She also acknowledged
that here students were the reason for her being where she is now, and gave
meaning to her being a teacher.
The final part of this article will follow in the next
column. Meanwhile, comments/reactions will be appreciated and can be sent
through this writer’s email (sl3.mekaniko@gmail.com) or through this writer’s
blog (http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
Sangguniang Kabataan (1)…a closer look
18 July 2013
The news that a Comelec official, early this month, mentioned
that they may formally ask Congress to abolish the Sanguniang Kabataan generated a lot of reactions, both positive and
negative.
I for one found the move interesting, but somehow not really
surprised by the allegation that the SK has been turned into a tool for
corruption by unscrupulous local officials. I understand from a news report
that the Comelec came to this conclusion on the basis of information that came
out from various hearings conducted involving vote buying complaints and
fighting among SK members (http:// www.
gmanetwork.com/ news/story/316000/news/nation/comelec-exec-wants-sangguniang-kabataan-abolished).
I wondered, however, whether the Comelec’s claim would be
enough justification for the abolition of the SK, and this pushed me to take a
closer look at this aspect of national governance that in the past deserved
only a sort of “glance and a shoulder shrug” from me.
The SK is an
offshoot of the Kabataang Barangay which
was the first youth council created
through a Presidential Decree 684 by then President Marcos on April 15, 1975, and
which provided for the organization, in all
Barangays, of KB units which were
intended to be a venue for the youth’s participation in community affairs, and
in expressing their views. The KB
units included all Filipinos aged 18 and below and from which a KB Assembly (composed of duly registered
members aged 15-18 years) is formed that would elect a 7 man KB Council, the chairman of which would automatically
be an ex-officio member of the Barangay
Council, and also Chairman of the Committee on Sports and Recreation.
The KB was however
abolished sometime in 1986 upon the assumption of then President Cory Aquino
and was re-introduced the way we know it now (Katipunan ng Kabataan ng Pilipinas and Sangguniang Kabataan) as as part of the 1991 Local Government Code,
RA 7160, and which also mandates that 10% of the general funds of the barangay
shall be set aside for the SK (Sec
329). Funds can also be generated through fund-raising activities (Sec 426c),
as well as through the collection and receiving of contributions (Sec 433b).
The SK, by the way,
is the barangay youth council composed of the officers (1 Chairman and 6
Councilmen) voted into office by the KKP of
each Barangay in the country. The KKP, in turn, is composed of all
Filipinos aged 15-18 with a residency of at least 6 months in the Barangay. These
Barangay SKs, represented by their
chairmen, are then organized into town or city SK federations where officers (e.g. this time president, vice
president, etc.) are elected among the representative SK Chairmen. The town/city SK
federation presidents, following the same process, are then, in turn, organized
progressively into provincial (or urbanized city) SK federations and ultimately into the national SK federation, which administers through
the SK National Executive board (composed of all the elected regular officers
of the Pambansang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan) the national operations
of the SK.
In the“2001 KK and SK Constitution and By Laws”, the preamble
states KKP’s and SK’s purpose as “…uplift[ing] the general welfare of the youth… [through
collaboration with government in efforts that would] ultimately lead the youth
to achieve a truly free, just, democratic, effective, self-reliant, progressive
and most of all, God-abiding and morally upright sector in the Philippine
society…” (http://dilgbicol.org/attachments/Related_Laws ___Sk_Constitution_and_By_Laws.pdf).
Stated also in the declaration of principles are the
commitments to “… 1)The rule of law; 2) consultative, participatory and
democratic attitude; 3) public service above self; 4) The Bayanihan Spirit of
the Filipinos; and 5) Total development of the youth.”
Also under the declaration of principles are stated the
following objectives: “ 1.) To establish a nationwide forum for the achievement
of the following: a.) To give life, meaning and substance to the constitutional
mandate on “Local Autonomy and Decentralization of Powers”; and b.) For
ventilation of matters which are Legislative Concerns of the Local Legislative
Assemblies; 2.) To bring the Government to the grassroots citizenry, especially
the youth and the latter to the government; 3.) To strengthen the rapport,
camaraderie and brotherhood among the members of the Katipunan ng mga Kabataan;
4.) To formulate, implement and coordinate activities, projects and programs
particularly those that are beneficial to the members of the Katipunan and/or
the general welfare of the people; 5.) To promote the development of
cooperatives throughout the country in order to uplift the socio-economic condition
of the youth and the Filipino people as a whole; 6.) To set up a Foundation for
the benefit of the members and their constituents; 7.) To undertake
fund-raising projects and activities to support the KK programs and objectives;
8.) To stand for the protection and preservation of the rights, privileges and
benefits of the youth; and; 9.) To initiate and support programs that are
designed to enhance the social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual,
moral, spiritual and physical development of the youth.
Given the above, to my mind, measuring how the SK has fared over
the past years (38 years since it was created in 1975, and 21 years since
reintroduction in 1991) with respect to its stated purpose, commitments and
objectives would be one fair means of determining whether they should, or
shouldn’t be abolished, and which will be tackled in part 2 of this article in
a subsequent column.
Meanwhile, comments/reactions will be
appreciated and can be sent through this writer’s email (sl3.mekaniko@gmail.com)
or through this writer’s blog (http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
Motorcycle safety (5)
15 July 2013
Concern regarding motorcycle safety triggered the writing
of this article series, which features today its fifth and last part. The
concern stems from the following: 1) my realization of how exposed and unprotected
riders are, after bumping the rear of one motorcycle a few weeks back; 2) that
the number of motorcycle related injuries and fatalities, based on MMARAS
Annual Reports, have been increasing at very fast rates during the past years, i.e., from 6,677 injuries
and 109 fatalities in 2009, to 9,896 injuries and 163 fatalities in 2011; 3) that the galloping growth of
our motorcycle population which could further increase these accidents,
injuries and fatalities unless efforts to lessen them are fast and effectively
implemented; and 4) that the large majority of those who resort to using the
motorcycle for transportation belong to that segment (and the bulk)of our
population who struggle to make both ends meet, and therefore, are also the
ones that suffers most from such accidents.
This concern also roused my curiosity regarding efforts
initiated by government agencies, motorcycle manufacturers/traders, as well as
user groups, to improve motorcycle safety so that the incidence of motorcycle
related accidents, injuries and fatalities will be reduced.
As regards action of government agencies. Web-search revealed that
institutional arrangements have been made regarding road safety as early as
1991 with the issuance of Presidential Administrative Order 222 creating the “Inter-agency
Road Safety Committee” chaired by the DPWH Secretary. Then in 1997, the “National
Road Safety Committee”, chaired this time by the DOTC Secretary, was created
through PAO 328. Soon after, the MMDA’s MMARAS was started in 2002, and the
operation of DPWH’s TARAS in 2004.
A “Philippine Road Safety Action
Plan” was subsequently launched for 2004-2008 but was later on replaced in 2007
with a “Revised Philippine Road Safety Action Plan (2007-2010)”, the same year
that the IRSC was dissolved through PAO 184, and which mandated the
transferring of all its functions and powers to the DOTC. Mentioned also in the
said revised plan for 2007-2010 is the idea of the National Electronic
Injury Surveillance System planned for
pilot testing in 2008 and for full implementation nationwide by 2010 (http://www.grspasia.org/pdf/Phillipines.pdf).
The earliest indication however
that the matter of motorcycle accidents was addressed was in a “Country Report
on Road Safety Initiatives” prepared in 2006 for the Global Road Safety
Partnership (by the then DOTC Undersecretary for Road Transport). In this
report, “motorcycle accidents” was cited as an “emerging concern” and stated that
motorcycle accidents have been “… increasing at more than 40% per year over the
last 3 years [2004 to 2006].”
The DOTC Undersecretary’s report
presented a good idea of the contents of the RPRSAP (2007-2010) which includes
a proposed “Integrated Traffic Accident Data Management System”, together with “6
Major Strategic Programs and Projects”, namely: Safer Road Users, Safer
Vehicles, Safer Roads, Safer System, Better Resource Management and Budget
Allocation/Fatality Reduction. However, of the 41 major projects named, I think
only 2 touched somehow on motorcycle safety (http://www.who.int /roadsafety/decade_of_action/plan/plan_philippines.pdf).
Not much however seems to have
been done afterwards regarding motorcycle accident mitigation except for the lengthy
treatment of the subject matter in the DOH’s Health Policy Notes of November
2008, where they noted among others that although motorcycles accounted for
only 9% of Metro Manila traffic accidents in 2006, they accounted for the
highest fatality rate, i.e. 23%, from road crashes. By 2009, the motorcycle’s
share of total MM traffic accidents increased to 11.7%, and so did its fatality
rate which reached 29.5%, or 109 deaths (2009 MMARAS report).
Interest in motorcycle safety seem
to have been revived in December 2010 when the “Metro Manila Transport and
Traffic Management Summit” was convened and participated in by the MMDA, DOTC,
DPWH, DOH, DENR, etc. Among the outputs of the summit were the “MMTTS
Declaration 2010” that pledged, among other things, the crafting of a “Metro
Manila Transport and Traffic Plan 2010 – 2016”, and commitments of full
cooperation from the signatories in the implementation of the plan’s projects.
Subsequently, the “Philippine Road
Safety Action Plan 2011-2020” was released in conjunction with the declaration,
by President Noynoy, of 2011 as the launching year of the “Philippine Decade of
Action for Road Safety: 2011-2020” (http://www.who.int/roadsafety/decade_of_action/plan/plan_
philippines.pdf).
This plan incorporated specific actions relative to
improving motorcycle safety, particularly along the areas of Traffic
Legislation, Safe Planning and Design of Roads, Driver Training and Testing, Road
Safety Publicity Campaigns, Traffic Police and Law Enforcement, and Emergency
Assistance to Road Crash Victims.
Then the 2011 MMARAS Report which
showed the continued increase in motorcycle related accidents (to 17, 837 or 12.6%)
and fatalities (to 163 deaths or 32.4%) came out; the 60 kph speed limit was
imposed in the Commonwealth and President Diosdado Macapagal Avenues in the
same year; and later on, sometime in 2012, the non-exclusive “blue lanes” for
motorcycles in EDSA, Commonwealth and Macapagal Avenues were installed. It is
also about this time that the two motorcycle accident related studies initiated
by the private sector (i.e. the DLSU IE Team and the UP/PGH/POC/EAMC Doctors)
came out.
It seems that we are not wanting
in terms of plans and programs regarding road safety, as shown by the existence
of one, even way back in 2004 (and including the various revisions that
supplanted it later on). It is true, that some progress, as mentioned earlier,
has been achieved, but to my mind, we are still wanting in results; far more
accomplishments, particularly regarding motorcycle safety, could have been
achieved. For one, what seems to be
lacking is the determination, if not effectiveness, of the concerned government
agencies in accomplishing their assigned tasks. For I think it is only by
“holding the problem by its horns and looking it in the eye” that the real
engagement needed to achieve the set goals and deliver the desired results can
happen.
And why do I say this? Well, because
to my mind, government has been involved in the matter of road safety as early
as 1991, about 22 years ago. We also have currently in place a road safety
master plan that has recognized as early as 2004 the problem regarding motorcycle
accidents; and the way I appreciate it, this plan have been subjected to
refinements continuously over the last eight years. As far as I understand,
plans are made for objectives to be met, but in the case of motorcycle safety,
not much can be bragged about. This, to me, is evident in our country’s
participation in the 2013 GRSP-Asia Meeting the country hosted last April 2- 4
this year.
Let me explain further. The
current PRSAP (as well as its earlier versions) have already identified the
criticality of wearing correct helmets in mitigating head injuries and even
death during a motorcycle accident/crash. There is also, since 2008, the “no
helmet, no travel” policy covered by the LTO AO AHS-2008-015. The importance of
the helmets has also been established through numerous studies, both local and
international. Given that there is concern with the growing problem of
motorcycle accidents/crashes and particularly fatalities, how come we still see
lots of motorcycle riders speeding without helmets, not to mention those that
drive with improper head gear?
Another matter is the over
speeding as well as the undisciplined and inconsiderate driving habits of most
drivers (including motorcycle drivers) particularly in Metro Manila. How come
when they are in a place like SBMA, they are better disciplined and comply with
the traffic laws? And yet MM is much older than SBMA.
The 2011 PRSAP was launched more
than 2 years ago. Who is really in charge of what? Perhaps more than enough
time has already been allocated for shadow boxing, and it is now time to enter
the ring for the real thing. I believe that a relatively good plan is in place,
and a lot of enhancements in road safety, particularly motorcycle safety, could
be achieved if only those who are tasked with the responsibility of
implementing its programs would take to it real seriously.
As regards action of motorcycle manufacturers. As mentioned in an
earlier article, there are efforts by manufacturers abroad regarding the
development of devices that would mitigate injuries during a motorcycle crash.
Such devices are air bags and a roll bar attached to the driver, which may not
be appropriate for the Philippines, primarily because it wouldn’t be
affordable.
What are needed would be
developments that would fit local conditions/requirements. For example, I
wonder if local motorcycle manufacturers could develop an appropriate seatbelt
that would restrain the driver from being thrown into the air in the event of a
crash and minimize the degree of musculoskeletal injury. Or an appropriate roll
bar or crash bar that would protect the lower limbs of the motorcycle driver
when he/she topples with the vehicle. Or maybe even developing a kind of
special horn that would enable the motorcycle driver to alert a driver in a
vehicle up front (even a large truck/container van) of his close proximity.
The local manufacturers can also
take the lead in producing or supplying appropriate and more affordable
Personal Protective Equipment like helmets, gloves, jackets, pants, boots,
goggles, visors, vests, as well as various plastic armors that would improve
the rider’s chance of survival in the event of a crash.
As regards action of user groups. To my mind, the members of
motorcycle clubs are the disciplined and safe riders. However, I believe much
of the millions of bike riders are not reached by such organizations, and therefore
do not benefit from the safety education, training, and the resulting
discipline that the clubs can provide.
Some clubs I understand take on
the advocacy of preaching safe riding beyond their club members by producing
and distributing leaflets, as well as conducting seminars on their own. This is
good; however, they may be able to accelerate propagating safe ring practices
by organizing and mentoring new clubs, which in turn, later on, can also
replicate the organizing and mentoring.
A final thought regarding motorcycle safety. Installing blue lanes
is a good move, however, perhaps specific motorcycle routes can be developed (for
the long term) using inner and smaller roads to enable motorcycle riders (as
well as bikers) to go around Metro Manila with minimal exposure to the bigger
vehicles in the major roads.
Meanwhile, comments/reactions will be
appreciated and can be sent through this writer’s email
(sl3.mekaniko@gmail.com) or through this writer’s blog
(http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
Motorcycle safety (4)
8 July 2013
Concern for the galloping growth in the number of motorcycle
related accidents over the last few years, as well as interest over what concerned
agencies (particularly government) have done to make motorcycle riding safer, motivated
the writing of this series on “Motorcycle Safety”. Today’s column features the
fourth and penultimate part of the series, with parts 1-3 featured in the past
three columns.
In as far as government agencies are concerned, it seems that
MMDA is the one that has somehow sustained the implementation of concrete steps
that may have trimmed down motorcycle fatalities/injuries during the last two
years. Among these concrete steps were the initiation of the “Metro Manila
Transport and Traffic Management Summit” that produced the “MMTTS Declaration
2010”; the release of the 2011 MMARAS report; the 60 kph speed limit imposed in
some major roads; and, the provision of blue lanes for motorcycles.
The DPWH’s “Traffic Accident Recording and Analysis System”
which is tasked with maintaining a database of all traffic accidents/crashes occurring
outside Metro Manila seems to be active. However, my search failed to find an
Annual Accident Report (supposed to be prepared by TARAS) in the web.
The DOH meanwhile developed and implemented the “Online
National Electronic Injury Surveillance System” that collects injury and
fatality data from hospitals nationwide. ONEISS forwards the data to the
“Philippine Network for Injury Data Management System” which harmonizes the
data with that of the other (i.e. TARAS and MMARAS) sources to improve the
accuracy of reports on traffic related injuries/fatalities.
The DOH also published in its UHMIS website the ONEISS
findings for Quarters 1-4, CY 2012. The year’s “Injury Fact Sheets” report
reflected a total of 32 motorcycle fatalities (DOA) for the year, coming from
65 to 86 (or 3.6%-4.7%) of the 1,821 hospitals in the country. Out of the 32
that died, only one was wearing a helmet.
The private sector also had participation in the form of two
studies, the first of which, titled “Analysis
Motorcycle Accidents Based on Environmental and Personal Factors” and published
in 2011, was done by a team from the IE Department of DLSU. They concluded that
three variables, namely, “age, weather and junction type” have significant
influence on whether a motor cycle accident can, or cannot, occur.
The second study related to motorcycle accidents/injuries
was part of an initiative of the Philippine Orthopaedic Association which
launched a Road Safety Program. The study, titled “Rash of Motorcycle
Accidents: A Growing National Health Concern”, was conducted and published in
the Acta Medica Philippina (vol. 46 No.2) sometime in 2012 by Dr. Mario B.
Geronilla (of the Department of Orthopedics, College of Medicine and PGH, UP
Manila) and Dr. Joseph Keath T. Sison (of the East Avenue Medical Center in
Quezon City).
The study’s objective was four fold, namely: establish a
profile of motorcycle road accidents; establish the prevalence of
musculoskeletal injuries, etc.; determine the factors causing the increase in
motorcycle accidents; and, come up with recommendations for the prevention of
motorcycle accidents.
To achieve these objectives the authors made an analysis of
the clinical records of motorcycle accident victims from three hospitals (PGH,
Philippine Orthopaedic Center, and East Avenue Medical Center) considered as
the main referral centers for such accidents in Metro Manila as well as the
other regions surrounding it, believing that the data they access would
represent large urban as well as suburban areas. They also obtained additional
data from the LTO, MMDA, the MMARAS data from 2005-2008, and POA Trauma
Registry.
The results of the study indicated that: almost half of
motorcycle crash victims belonged to the 21-35 age group; most fatalities
occurred at 9 in the evening, while non-fatal injuries commonly occurred at
around 4 in the morning; the motorcycle proved to be the leading cause of fatal
and non-fatal injuries to motorist; half of the musculoskeletal injury cases
involve the lower extremity, with the other half involving the spine, lower
extremity and brachial plexus injury; 54% of the brachial plexus injury
happened under the influence of liquor; most of the joint injuries are with the
knees, wrist, hip and ankle.
The study concluded with the following recommendations: creation
of a unified national database (and registry) for motorcycle accidents; road
safety education done in the elementary and high school levels; provision of
motorcycle lanes; designation of trauma centers to ensure fast and proper
treatment of accident victims; and, establish an effective referral system
among hospitals for the efficient transport and treatment of patients.
In as far as the user groups are concerned, there seem to be a large
number of motorcycle clubs in the country, gauging from results of a Google
search. There are private clubs that are even combined into various federations,
with one (National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs) even celebrating its 18th
annual national convention on April 30 last year. There are also clubs formed
by the various motorcycle manufacturers. Based on a review of some of these
clubs web/social sites, it seems that these groups are well aware of the need
for riders to practice safe driving. Some even conduct safety seminars, and at
least one group (Federation of motorcycle clubs in Mindanao) even posted a
newspaper clipping regarding the “Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013."
It cannot be established however (from the web) how many of the millions of
bike users are reached by these groups seemingly composed of responsible
bikers.
As regards manufacturers and traders of motorcycles in the
country, no written material has so far been sourced (aside from their
organizing their own clubs where safe riding is emphasized) regarding their efforts
related to advancing the safety aspects of the vehicle itself. There have been,
however, developments reportedly done abroad by manufacturers regarding airbags
that would stay with the rider when thrown off his bike during a crash, as well
as a roll bar (around and over a rider) that would fly off with the biker and
which would serve as protection upon making contact with hard surfaces (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_safety).
These developments (and ultimately the protective gear) however may not be
appropriate for the Philippines as their cost reportedly could run into
thousands of dollars, which is unaffordable to the local riders.
Due to space limitations, the final section of this article
will be featured as part 5 my next column. Meanwhile, comments/reactions
will be appreciated and can be sent through this writer’s email (sl3.mekaniko@gmail.com)
or through this writer’s blog (http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
Motorcycle safety (3)
4 July 2013
This article (together with the two previous ones, PJ,
28June & 2July’13), was influenced by the issue of motorcycle safety which
came to fore because there has occurred in the past few years a drastic rise in
the number of motorcycle related accidents, injuries and fatalities, which if
not seriously addressed could further snowball, given the rapid rise also in
the number of motorcycle users who by this time could be already more than 4
million.
Given that those who resort to the use of the motorcycle for
transportation are our countrymen who are struggling to make both ends meet, I
wondered about what steps the “concerned agencies” are doing to make using it
safer. This is so that those who turn to using one can have a better chance of
truly enjoying the economic benefit they expect to get from their investment,
instead of a tragedy that can come from an accident.
In my last column I mentioned that it seems that the MMDA
was the government agency among those that signed the “MMTTS Declaration 2010”
that somehow sustained the effort initiated on December 3, 2010 (during the
Metro Manila Transport and Traffic Management Summit) to do something about improving motorcycle
safety.
I say this because in my observation the agency seems to be the only government unit that
came up with concrete steps during the last two years which may have reduced
the number of injuries/fatalities, as compared to what it could have been
without the said concrete steps. And these steps I’m referring to are the
initiation of the MMTTM Summit, the release of the 2011 MMARAS report, the 60
kph speed limit imposed on vehicles (including motorcycles) operating in some
major roads, as well as the provision of blue lanes for the motorcycles.
In as far as Department of Public Works and Highway’s “Traffic Accident
Recording and Analysis System” is concerned, I have so far gathered only two pieces
of information that I consider relevant to the issue of pursuing motorcycle
safety. The first one seems to be a report addressing a query about the site of
high-severity accidents; and which enumerates (according to the frequency of
accidents CY 2008-2010) the top 65 sites, or national roads, in the country
where frequent accidents happen (http://www. Aaphilippines .org/roadsafety/files/dpwh-taras2010.pdf).
The other piece of information is that of TARAS (which was started in 2004 to
maintain a data base of traffic accidents/crashes – reported by PNP - outside
of Metro Manila, as well as prepare an Annual Accident Report) being mentioned
in “page 8” of the DPWH 2011 Year-end Report, as one of the tools to be used in
improving road safety (http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/ about_us/annual _report/pdf/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20011312%202011
%20DPWH%20YEAR% 20END%20REPORT%20 _UPDATED_.pdf). I failed, however, to find an
“Annual Accident Report” prepared by TARAS in the web.
The DOH on the other hand developed and implemented the “Online
National Electronic Injury Surveillance System” that captures injury and fatality cases on
accidents (e.g. traffic accidents, etc.) seen and reported in government and
private hospitals all over the country (http://www.ched.gov .ph/chedwww/index.php/eng/Briefer-on-The-Philippine-Network-for-Injury-Data-Management-System-PNIDMS).
Quarterly reports on the system’s traffic accident findings, the latest of
which are for Quarters 1-4, CY 2012, are published in the DOH’s “Unified Health
Management Information System” website, and classified under “Injury Fact
Sheets” (http://uhmis1.doh.gov.ph/UnifiedHMIS/).
ONEISS, together with the TARAS (which collects reports on
traffic accident that occurs in all the country’s national roads outside Metro
Manila) and the MMARAS (which collects traffic accident reports that occurs in
Metro Manila) forwards their data to the “Philippine Network for Injury Data Management System” where the various
data sets are harmonized to improve the accuracy of the reported transportation
related accidents/injuries/fatalities.
The
PNIDMS is a multi-sectoral organization created in November 10, 2010 through
the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement among representatives of various
government and non-government offices, namely, Sec. Ona of DOH, Dr. Soe Nyunt-U
of WHO, Ms. Vanessa Tobi of UNICEF, Sec. De Jesus of DOTC, Sec. Singson of DPWH,
Police Chief Supt. Espina of the PNP-HPG, Chairman Tolentino of MMDA, Asec. Torres
of LTO, and Dr. Rafael Consunji of Safekids Philippines. The organization later
on was expanded and strengthened further with the participation through a
second MOA signing, on May 28, 2012, by representatives of other government
offices the DILG, DOLE, DSWD, DepEd, CHED, PHIC, PCW, NSO, NBI, BFP, UP-NCTS,
and PIRA.
Meanwhile, with respect to the private sector’s
participation, sometime in 2011 a team from the DLSU IE Department composed of
Glaiza Flores, Maria Gotohio, Noel Paras and Rosemarie Seva conducted a study
to assess the causes of the numerous motorcycle accidents in the country. They
gathered motorcycle accident data from Quezon City Police Department reports
(where they identified environment and driver dependent factors), and conducted
a survey at the Land Transportation Office involving 186 motorcycle drivers (83
of them having experienced accidents) to gather objective data on “driver
behavior” to explore its effects on the occurrence of an accident.
Analyzing the data they gathered using a regression analysis
model (i.e. logistic regression), they concluded that three variables, or
factors, namely, “age, weather and junction type” have significant influence on
whether an accident can, or cannot occur. The details of their study is
contained in a paper titled “Analysis Motorcycle Accidents Based on
Environmental and Personal Factors” published sometime in 2011
(http://www.iieom.org/ieom2011/pdfs/IEOM126.pdf).
Due to space limitations, the continuation of this article
will be featured as part 4 under the same title in my next column. Meanwhile, comments/reactions
will be appreciated and can be sent through this writer’s email
(sl3.mekaniko@gmail.com) or through this writer’s blog
(http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
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