Editor’s Note Ira Panganiban

Ira Panganiban Editor-in-Chief

EDITOR’S NOTE

WHY DO WE LOVE HATING RULES?

The entry of 2021 was marked by a series of complaints regarding the implementation of the motor vehicle inspection rule. Under the new laws, all non-brand new vehicle must undergo a motor vehicle inspection to ascertain their roadworthiness.

Now this is not usually a problem for new cars since their registration lasts for 3-years. That means the next two years after buying their car is inspection free. But on the fourth year, the MVIS rule will kick in.

So what is this motor vehicle inspection rule?

Well it is the law that says all motor vehicles applying for a renewal of their LTO registration will need to undergo a series of tests to ascertain if their cars are safe enough to travel our roads. This came about after a series of deadly crashes in 2017 that caused the death of tens of passengers and commuters.

From this editors’ point of view, this system is a long time coming.

We have been witness to how irresponsible transport companies have continuously disregarded the safety of everyone on the road by fielding dilapidated trucks and buses in furtherance of their bottomline.

So what is wrong with having our vehicles inspected regularly for defect and worn out parts? Is this not something a responsible car owner does for his very safety and convenience? Do we just ride and drive our car even if the lights are busted, the brakes ineffective, the windows dfo not close and the airconditioner nonfunctional?

So what if we have to pay P1,800 to have our vehicles inspected and certified as road worthy? Will we not pay a bigger amount if we hurt, maim or even kill somebody because our cars do not function properly?

So what if we spend half a day in the motor vehicle inspection center waiting for our car to be inspected? Is this not better than not having a car because it crashed for lack of brakes, or headlights or worn out tires. Or being paralyzed or even dead because of an unsafe car?

The thing about us Filipinos is that we never find the lack of time to complain about something, anything that comes our way. We say it wastes our time, they do it wrong, it is not needed and all other excuses.

The reality is that it is inconvenient for us and we always want things done for us or delivered to our doorstep or even be exempted. This is the truth, that we are so lacking in self esteem as a culture that any responsibility required of us as a society we always try to turn into a chance to get special treatment.

We are really not against motor vehicle inspection, or the anti distracted driving law, or the helmet law, or the motorcycle lane, or any other law for that matter. We actually want those laws enforced, but on others, not us as individuals specifically.

Because when we are exempt, it makes us feel special, and we can brag about it. Because we are so, as I said earlier, lacking in self esteem as a society, useless bragging rights like this is such a big thing for us.

So we protest against laws that are meant to keep us safe on the road, not because we don’t appreciate it, we just feel special if they exempt us from it.

The reality is that it is inconvenient for us and we always want things done for us or delivered to our doorstep or even be exempted. ❞

✉ irapanganiban@wheelsph.com