One time, I read a newsbit on Twitter about the town of Dagupan (I think?) passing a resolution to restrict underaged / teenage patrons to check in these roadside motels. That’s in answer to the prevention of early and unwanted teenage pregnancies and premarital sex. Then there’s this recent Martilyo Gang hit at the SM North and the authorities answer with restraining these hardware stores from selling hammers and crowbars. Another case is when there are transportations mishaps. A boat / ship sinks, a bus nosedives from a flyover… How do we answer? Suspend the franchise, and file criminal charges against the driver and/or operator.

What a load of shit.

1) You want to prevent teenage and unwanted pregnancies? For crying out loud, education and information is the answer. Teach the kids what happens when they engage in these actions. Know the saying ‘Curiosity killed the cat?’ Well, curiosity gets them pregnant, too. Morality issues? Do these people believe they are more on morality’s side when they shun the idea of sex education and promote life instead? Whose life? What kind of life? The teens are barely out of their childhood. What kind of child-rearing skills can they employ?

2) No more selling of hammers and crowbars, huh? Might as well ask the stores not to sell chemical-based stuff either, you know? Do you think, that if you stop selling these stuff, thieves and whoever wants to do damage, can refrain from using other stuff so they can have their way? Don’t you authority figures know that certain cooking implements can actually be combined to form explosives? Why not intensify security instead? Employ well-trained guards who will not hesitate to tackle offenders. Install anti-theft devices and equipment. Get K-9 support. What the fudge are they all thinking, just mandating to remove these metal items from the merchandise roster?

3) So after suspending the transportation franchise for a specific length of time, what then? What about implementing stricter regulations in giving out franchises and licenses? What about traffic rules? Embarkation rules? Why not look at these? Won’t these be better at preventing accidents and catastrophes?

Really, the reason why we, as a nation, remain as backward as the next 3rd World Country? It’s because our lawmakers, our authority figures are so short sighted, they only plan for the immediate remedy, forgetting that the problem can easily outrun and outgun that.

Sana naman gumawa sila ng mas in-depth. Sana matuto silang i-attack ang issue sa root cause nito. Tama na ‘yung tapal-tapal. Walang saysay ang gano’n.