The Rotary Balita no. 686 (December 20, 1951)

Uncertainty of a sufficient daily income is the major reason why jeepney drivers have been the number one traffic menace in Manila, declared Traffic Judge Gregorio N. Garcia. In their race to earn enough to meet the quota given them by the jeepney operators, the drivers outspeed one another to get more passengers. To remedy this situation the Traffic Judge recommended the establishment of an operator-driver relationship which would establish a minimum wage for drivers. Speaking on the traffic problem in Manila, he declared that it arises from the mentality of the Filipinos themselves. The Filipinos have that inferiority complex which gloats in defiance of established authorities. He traced the lives of the Filipinos who were always living under a sovereign power. During the Spanish days, the Filipinos fought the Spaniards and later when the Americans came, the Filipinos who fought them were likewise honored and revered for their courage. During the Japanese occupation, those who fought the Japs were likewise honored for their bravery. He claimed that under these three periods the Filipinos developed self-defiance, and obedience to the laws was interpreted as servitude. We have not developed the habit of abiding with the laws and that breaking them is prohibited. Pedestrians ignore the pedestrian lanes and if they are not arrested for jaywalking, feel a feeling of triumph that other pedestrians follow. "We forget," Garcia declared, "that we are now an independent country and every violation of the law we make or any fight we do against the authorities is a fight among ourselves." The Filipinos must learn to be humble and must educate themselves in the democratic way of life which in essence is but give and take. Dr. Jose Reyes, director of the North General Hospital gave a short report of the successful operation of the "pin baby" El. vira. He thanked Rotarians for their help when he issued an appeal for baby Elvira Difuntorum, the daughter of a poor couple who had swallowed nine straight pins. Dr. Reyes explained the necessity of flying the baby to the United States for an operation when it could very well have been done here if with the available medical instruments. He declared that upon the advise of Drs. Castillo and Cruz, local bronchoscopists who feared that the life of the patient might be jeopardized, that the decision to bring the baby to U. S. specialists was made. Peter Richard and K. C. Wu were welcomed by the members after a trip abroad. Art Tanco was applauded for the success of the Students' Forum held recently at the FEU Auditorium in which he was the chairman. The Rotary Clubs of Cambridge, New York, Los Angeles and Honolulu extended their cordial greetings through Lorry Lolarga, also a recent arrival. Lorry presented some souvenirs from these clubs. Long Ortigas, chairman of the Traffic Committee, made a short report of the activities of his committee.