by Frank Woolf

I just got back to Manila after a few days in Davao. It was really pleasant to see buses and jeepneys pulling over to the side onto the hard shoulder to pick up and drop off passengers instead of what we are used to, just stopping in any lane, even in the middle of junctions. There is no traffic chaos, no potholes, etc. I went through the city many times and traffic only built up over a very short section. Police and traffic enforcers were on duty and working hard day and night. They don’t dissapear after dark or when it rains.

I would guess that over 95% of vehicles have legal, working lights but it was a little sad to see a few jeepneys and other vehicles starting to copy the stupidity of Manila jeepneys with wrong color and missing lights. I do hope Mayor Duturte will stop the rot before it gets like Manila with about 90% of public transport vehicles having illegal or missing lights. Blatently ignoring the law is not something Davao drivers normally do - except most riders do not wear helmets.

Another thing I noticed was a difference in the style of driving. In Manila the rule is basically “screw you I got here first” and “always cause maximum obstruction whenever possible” In Davao they do seem to understand that helping each other to keep moving is better for everyone but watch those side turnings when on fast major roads. It seems to be the norm to just pull out in front of fast moving traffic and assume they can stop in time.

Another thing to watch for is road lanes that abruptly end. Many roads have been resurfaced so the standard of the roads is very high but occasionally the right hand lane nearest the kirb ends without warning so you could suddenly find yourself riding on loose rubble. Its easy to see in the daytime but you need to be extra watchful at night.

The tricycles are quite different to what you see in Manila. Even though many of them spend hours on unmade roads leading to the local farms the majority are 50cc to 110cc and still load up the bike and sidecar until you would think it couldn’t move. I have a great deal of respect for the riders of what I call the motorcycle taxis. These are small standards and underbones with extended seats and no sidecar. It is not unusual to see them carrying five or even six passengers and their shopping along farm roads that are made of loose rubble and rocks. I would have trouble riding these farm roads on my own, never mind with six passsengers who have probably never been told not to move around!

I have seen a lot of interesting and unique bikes in Davao like the home made tricycles made with Honda general purpose engines like those used for generators etc but I think the most unusual has to be the scooter with training wheels I spotted on the main road through Davao City.

Bikes are everywhere, especially bikes of about 200cc and below. The cagers are used to them and make allowances for them by letting them filter through slow moving traffic and being very aware of their existence on the road.

Once again I was reminded that riding in the Philippines does not always mean riding amongst lawless chaos while watching for gigantic potholes and dangerous ridges in the road. Once again I am thinking maybe its time to move to Davao.