Apparently, the traffic situation in Metro Manila has gotten worse. Having lived there in the past, I didn't know it was possible but apparently it is. Several of my friends post on it and I give the same advice. And every time I get the same reaction, a laughing smiley. Guys, I wasn't joking. Maybe it really is time you guys left Metro Manila.
No, not Cebu. Not us. Please. I'm not even talking about the other big cities like Bacolod or Iloilo or Davao or Gen San. I've thought about this for a while now. Why is everything in Metro Manila? The only railway system is in Manila. Most major companies have their headquarters in Manila. Manila has everything.
It may be a chicken and egg scenario but it's ultimately because Manila's infrastructure makes it a very attractive site for businesses to pour their money into it. In a unitary form of government like ours, government officials in Manila see the need to add more infrastructure to make it even more attractive and so on.
Even in Cebu, which people say is the "Philippines 2nd City", I don't see the same amount of infrastructure support from the national government. We still have nothing like an MRT or LRT. Only more recently starting with PGMA did Cebu see more of that money that Metro Manila has long enjoyed.
So forgive me if I find the complaints about Manilenio's 2-3 hour commute to and from work unamusing. I'd be way more sympathetic if people weren't clamoring for more government intervention on these matters as opposed to less. The MRT/LRT problem goes back to everything wrong with government spending.
The state's primary concern is public service, not profit. As such any proposed increase in price for the train system would be met with huge opposition. Monthly maintenance costs take a back seat which is why people saw numerous car breakdowns during the time of PNoy.
Yet the LRT abd MRT continues to operate at a loss and that ultimately comes from the taxes of Filipino people, many of whon have never seen or set foot on an MRT train.
My advice? Cease any and all subsidy to the MRT and LRT trains immediately! Let them operate by themselves. They would be forced to jack up prices for the train rides to compensate for operating costs and new trains but it would at the very least be constrained to a local issue in Metro Manila.
The same goes with the PUV modernization program. The state is right in introducing this but should allow individual drivers to opt in or out of these programs. They should also be more free to raise the price of fares. I mean riding a dusty old jeepney as opposed to a brand new airconditioned Beep is like day and night and people will spend for the difference. The old cheaper options will still be available along side the more expensive more comfortable and safe options so it does encourage competition in this regard.
And I truly think competition is the only thing that can truly drive down the price of our transportation.
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