If you drive along south expressway everyday like I do, it is very easy to hate PNCC. I drive four days a week from Laguna to my office in Alabang and back, and for several months now, I experience first hand the inconvenience brought about by the on-going construction there. Everyday is battle between my car and the “lubaks” the “lubaks” win 90% of the time. Thirty minutes of cursing and praying alternately is no fun. The PNCC also has this sneaky way of changing the lanes every week. It’s like a never ending maze! Just when you thought you’ve memorized all the sharp turns, the merging lanes, the closed lanes, and the right spot to step on the break, surprise! --- PNCC comes up with an all new “lubak-rough road-closed lane” combination.
As I was driving along the same ugly highway at 8.30 on a Friday night two weeks ago --- cursing even more because of the long traffic from Filinvest exit all the way to San Pedro --- I had no clue that my opinion about PNCC was about to change. After surviving the crawling traffic, I knew that my car was in trouble when I felt my steering wheel froze. I turned the hazard light on as I saw the needle of my temperature gauge move a quarter past the midpoint. I slowly steered the car to the shoulder lane a few meters away from Carmona exit. As soon as I positioned my car closer to the concrete barrier of a closed lane, my car stopped and refused to start-up. I looked around looking for help. The place was really dark except for the headlights of passing vehicles. I called our office to ask help. Our guard on duty gave me the PNCC hotline. I dialled the hotline number several times but it just kept ringing. Getting desperate but too scared to go out for fear of being mugged, I stayed inside my car for another 20 minutes. While I waited, I called my husband and some other friends who may be able to help.
After what seemed like forever, I saw a PNCC officer walking towards me. He told me that somebody called their office to advise that there is a lady stranded just under the bridge near Carmona exit. It was our company driver who called PNCC to ask help on my behalf. He apologized that their line had been busy and explained that there was a lot going-on along the highway that night. I asked him where he came from and he said he had to walk from the nearby Shell station to get to where I was. He walked a good 200 meters to help me.
Opening the hood of my car, he confirmed what I thought happened all along. The water in my car’s radiator has evaporated from too much heat forcing my car to stop. The PNCC officer decided to look for water from the nearest toll gate (another 100 meters or so!). Just before he left he called his colleague over a two way radio and asked to keep me company while he looked for water. Fifteen minutes later, the PNCC Officer came back with a bucketful of water. Two more officers came by and they took turns putting water in my car’s radiator. After cooling off, my car’s engine roared and I was relieved. They assured me that my car was fine, but I should have it checked for some leaks as soon as possible. I also needed to buy a new radiator cap.
Because I decided to wait for Romy, our company driver, who volunteered to accompany me to Laguna, I asked for the three officers to wait with me. Already grateful for all the help they gave me, I could not help but salute the professionalism of these three officers. They asked for my name but continued to call me Ma’am and never called me by my first name. They asked where I lived, where I worked, but not in a prying way. They were very respectful and it was refreshing to feel safe around strangers. One officer even gave me his number and said I can call them directly if the PNCC hotline was busy. He said I can give out his number to friends and family.
As I was driving along the same ugly highway at 8.30 on a Friday night two weeks ago --- cursing even more because of the long traffic from Filinvest exit all the way to San Pedro --- I had no clue that my opinion about PNCC was about to change. After surviving the crawling traffic, I knew that my car was in trouble when I felt my steering wheel froze. I turned the hazard light on as I saw the needle of my temperature gauge move a quarter past the midpoint. I slowly steered the car to the shoulder lane a few meters away from Carmona exit. As soon as I positioned my car closer to the concrete barrier of a closed lane, my car stopped and refused to start-up. I looked around looking for help. The place was really dark except for the headlights of passing vehicles. I called our office to ask help. Our guard on duty gave me the PNCC hotline. I dialled the hotline number several times but it just kept ringing. Getting desperate but too scared to go out for fear of being mugged, I stayed inside my car for another 20 minutes. While I waited, I called my husband and some other friends who may be able to help.
After what seemed like forever, I saw a PNCC officer walking towards me. He told me that somebody called their office to advise that there is a lady stranded just under the bridge near Carmona exit. It was our company driver who called PNCC to ask help on my behalf. He apologized that their line had been busy and explained that there was a lot going-on along the highway that night. I asked him where he came from and he said he had to walk from the nearby Shell station to get to where I was. He walked a good 200 meters to help me.
Opening the hood of my car, he confirmed what I thought happened all along. The water in my car’s radiator has evaporated from too much heat forcing my car to stop. The PNCC officer decided to look for water from the nearest toll gate (another 100 meters or so!). Just before he left he called his colleague over a two way radio and asked to keep me company while he looked for water. Fifteen minutes later, the PNCC Officer came back with a bucketful of water. Two more officers came by and they took turns putting water in my car’s radiator. After cooling off, my car’s engine roared and I was relieved. They assured me that my car was fine, but I should have it checked for some leaks as soon as possible. I also needed to buy a new radiator cap.
Because I decided to wait for Romy, our company driver, who volunteered to accompany me to Laguna, I asked for the three officers to wait with me. Already grateful for all the help they gave me, I could not help but salute the professionalism of these three officers. They asked for my name but continued to call me Ma’am and never called me by my first name. They asked where I lived, where I worked, but not in a prying way. They were very respectful and it was refreshing to feel safe around strangers. One officer even gave me his number and said I can call them directly if the PNCC hotline was busy. He said I can give out his number to friends and family.
After sharing more "stranded motorists" stories, my colleagues finally arrived. I thanked the PNCC officers for the nth time and to further show my gratitude I handed them money-- feeling a little guilty that one of them had to finish his meal up as fast as possible to come to my rescue. They refused to accept the money even after I told them “Pasko naman po.” They told us it was their job to assist and they are always happy to help. Up to the time that we left, they remained courteous, bidding us “Merry Christmas” as we drove away.
I will be forever grateful to these three PNCC officers who helped me with no expectation nor strings attached. It was pure public service. In a time where trust has become difficult to give to strangers, it’s nice to know that among the concrete barriers, sharp curves, uneven pavements and %$#@&* lubaks of the south superhighway, there are ANGELS in grey uniform offering assistance. Now, I don’t mind the lubaks as much, my cursing has reduced, and I have renewed respect for PNCC officers.
To PNCC officers Reagan, Romantico, & Lumbres, thank you very much and God bless!
big thanks also to my officemates who helped.
I will be forever grateful to these three PNCC officers who helped me with no expectation nor strings attached. It was pure public service. In a time where trust has become difficult to give to strangers, it’s nice to know that among the concrete barriers, sharp curves, uneven pavements and %$#@&* lubaks of the south superhighway, there are ANGELS in grey uniform offering assistance. Now, I don’t mind the lubaks as much, my cursing has reduced, and I have renewed respect for PNCC officers.
To PNCC officers Reagan, Romantico, & Lumbres, thank you very much and God bless!
big thanks also to my officemates who helped.
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