NU12 #3 - Self-sustaining Waiting Sheds

Self-Sustaining Waiting Sheds and PUV Stops

As a tropical country, we enjoy (or despise) bright hot sunny days most days of the year. Thin layers of clothes, summer outfits and flip flops are the fashion trend whole year round. When it rains, the sun seldom completely disappears; it just hides a little from the clouds than bring rain.

Third world countries are often associated with high crime and poor infrastructure development rates. True enough this is what is happening in the Philippines. Our less fortunate brothers and sisters have resorted to desperate measures to earn money. Many of them opt violent encounters just to squeeze out a few pesos from innocent civilians while others rely on their skillful hands to slither their way to our pockets and bags. These crimes usually happen in dark places like in waiting sheds and PUV stops.

There are currently some solar powered street lights installed in the Philippines. Some can be seen in Bonifacio Global City. It would be a good idea to take that idea one step further and put solar panels on top of waiting sheds and PUV stops around the Metro and eventually around the whole country. The solar panels will benefit from the powerful rays of the sun we experience whole year round. With a source of power, waiting sheds and PUV stops can now be installed with functional things like LED lights, ceiling fans and CCTV cameras without the need of a power outlet (and expensive electric bill). Small solar panels are only needed for the waiting shed, a little bigger than those in solar powered street lights. An additional feature of a phone/gadget charging station can also be installed.

I know solar panels are expensive now but that doesn't mean that this idea is not feasible. There are solar panel companies out there which prove that it is a viable business and source of energy for various applications. Solar panel prices have dropped in the recent years and will continue to follow that downward trend in the following years to come. (http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/top-chinese-manufacturers-will-produce-solar-panels-for-42-cents-a-wat)

With a well-lit, ventilated and protected waiting sheds and PUV stops citizens will feel more confident about our public transportation system. Crooks, on the other hand, will think twice of committing crimes in waiting sheds. It's about time the government focuses its efforts on the safety of the people. Yes, we can definitely say that things are "more fun in the Philippines." but are they safe? 3

Submitted by: The Great White