10 SIMPLE BUT SIGNIFICANT REMINDERS THAT WILL CHANGE OUR WORLD

Whatever our status in the society, we can always positively or negatively affect others by COMMISSION or OMISSION. If we commit something good or omit to do bad things, we are helping others and we are also helping ourselves because whatever we do will eventually affect us today or in the near future.

On the other hand, if we commit something bad or omit to do good things, we are hurting others and certainly we will be hurting ourselves in the process.

My fervent hopes and unending wishes for humanity to avoid doing things that negatively affect or hurt other people. Instead, people should continue to do good things. Here are the 10 things that are usually being committed by many people which are becoming normal occurrences because they are tolerated by supposedly responsible individuals including and especially law enforcers:

1. DO NOT SMOKE IN PUBLIC PLACES. When a smoker carries or puffs burning cigarettes in public places, there will always be people who will be negatively affected by the tobacco smoke, cigarette butts and ashes. Secondhand and third-hand smokes causes deadly illnesses like lung cancer, heart ailments among others. Smoking is also a bad habit and wrong example to young people. RA 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act), RA 8749 (Clean Air Act) and LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2009-036 (SMOKE-FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TERMINAL and PUVs) strictly prohibit CIGARETTE SMOKING in PUBLIC PLACES. If you want to smoke in public places, ensure that everything coming from your burning cigarette will go to your lungs alone, not to the lungs of other people.

2. DO NOT SPIT IN PUBLIC PLACES. When someone spits in public places, it makes the surrounding untidy. It is also unhealthy especially if the one who spits has communicable diseases. No one wants your saliva, except maybe your boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse. Not everyone in public places is your kissing partner.

3. DO NOT URINATE IN UNAUTHORIZED PLACES. URINATE ONLY IN ESTABLISHED COMFORT ROOMS. Astray animals like dogs are normally those who urinate anywhere, but not for human beings. There are designated comfort rooms in the gasoline stations, restaurants, malls among others. Urinating in authorized places absolutely negatively affect others especially with the unwanted aroma of urine.

4. DO NOT THROW YOUR GARBAGE ANYWHERE. THROW YOUR GARBAGE ONLY IN DESIGNATED TRASH CANS or GARBAGE BINS. There are numerous man-made disasters and calamities which are attributed to the absence and lack of discipline of many people who are throwing garbage everywhere, along the roads, and bodies of water. Do not be a TRASH of the society, be RESPONSIBLE.

5. DO NOT PARK YOUR VEHICLE IN UNAUTHORIZED PLACES.  PARK YOUR VEHICLE ONLY IN DESIGNATED PARKING AREAS. Personal convenience should never harm or negatively affect others. Parking your vehicles along the streets, at the corner of the streets or anywhere which are not designated parking areas certainly negatively affect others. Illegally parked vehicles hamper traffic flow and even pedestrians.

6. DO NOT JAYWALK. Always cross the streets at the designated pedestrian lanes or footbridges. Aside from keeping yourself alive and safe from injuries or accidents, you will not be disturbing the traffic flow and other people.

7. DO NOT CREATE UNNECESSARY NOISE IN PUBLIC PLACES. Do not talk loudly while in public places whether over the phone or while talking personally with your loved ones, friends, business associates and any other people while in public places. Do not share your excitement with the public because you might be happy but you are disturbing others. If you are a motorcycle rider or car owner, be sure that the sound of your engine do not disturb other people. MOTORED VEHICLES are for transportation purposes only not to provide unnecessary noise to the humanity and to the environment. If you love loud noise, be sure to put an equipment that will divert all the noise coming from your vehicle going to your eardrums.

8. DO NOT STAND ON PASSAGEWAYS. Do not be the cause of traffic jam along corridors, pathways, pedestrian, roads and other passageways. Be sensitive to your environment.

9. DO NOT BE AN IRRESPONSIBLE PET OWNER. Everyone loves pets. But let us be responsible. Confine your pets within your home or compound. Do not let them be labeled as "astray animals".

10. DO NOT BE IRRESPONSIBLE. Be responsible. FREEDOM has limitation. Enjoy life but do not harm or hurt other people with your smoke, garbage, saliva, urine, pet, noise, and unnecessary presence.