I don’t know if you follow me on Twitter, but yesterday, I tweeted the news I chanced upon online.  It’s CNNGo.com’s list of the world’s worst cities to drive in and (surprise, suprise — BAZINGA) Manila placed third.

Read the full Yahoo article here.

Last night, I was watching the news and of course, MMDA immediately reacts to the news, saying it is not at all scientific and it is unfair for the Philippines to be compared to other countries with far more advanced economies that can easily support funding in improving roads and highways.

See the news clip here.

But you see, the survey was based on IBM’s 2011 COMMUTER PAIN survey.  It doesn’t have to be scientific; PEOPLE DON’T LIKE DRIVING AND COMMUTING HERE.

Can you blame them?

I don’t know about you but I kind of felt disgusted that the reaction was defensive.  It’s not that the article is discrediting the efforts made by MMDA to appease the traffic situation in the metropolitan areas; it is the fact that in spite of the efforts and the multimillion dollar loan supposedly aimed to improve the situation, it is still horrifying and rip-your-hair-out annoying to drive in Manila.

I just think it’s a poor way to handle bad press.  The first thing MMDA mentions in the news is the study is not scientific?  And so?  Take it nonetheless.  It may be a blow in the gut, but just freakin’ take it man.  Grow a pair and admit the shortcomings that cannot be cured overnight.  Man up and have some whiskey, just so you can have the courage to say it’s a collective effort — from pedestrians, to commuters, to drivers, to government, to policy — to elevate this situation from disappointing to bearable.

It’s not a blame game.  It’s just pointing out the obvious.

But then again, that’s just me.

Photos sourced from Cool Bean Mommas.