Straight Talk by Roy Moraleta
Straight Talk

Of Transport Modernization and Its Impact on Change

Apr 21, 2021, 10:00 PM
Roy Moraleta

Roy Moraleta

Columnist

Modernization efforts of the government in public transport should be proportionate and consistent with the economic status of its people. That is not to suggest that we should altogether shun a higher level of comfort and convenience. After all, our people have different tastes when it comes to lifestyle, and their level of sophistication is often defined and determined by their economic competence.

Now, if by any measure the general public approves what they initially, in disdain, thought a rather unnecessarily luxurious public ride in a modern, state-of-the-art, airconditioned foreign-manufactured public utility vans, like the 22-seater Russian made Jeepko units plying Tacloban-Tanauan franchise routes, then it means the greater riding public is ready for it.
 
The obvious and eventual transition toward the change should be aggressively sought by the relevant agencies of government. After all, as this administration put it, “komportabling sakay, hindi na imposible.” Perhaps, the mantra would also mean to afford practical and feasible transition opportunities on the part of the drivers and operators of the Philippine classic passenger jeepneys. After all, the capitalization requirement for a single procurement alone of a modern passenger unit amounts to a couple of millions, and even if they are accessible through a loan through Landbank, its monthly dues can be unreasonably overwhelming.
 
By the way, the drivers and operators of the regular PUJs that are interested (and they should be as they will be phased out anyway in no time) to ride along in the changing public transport system being aggressively pushed now by the government should take advantage of the moment. The Landbank is committed to financing a transport bid up to 95% in capitalization. Any organized transport group would only need to put up the remaining 5% in counterpart. The viability of the afforded livelihood change is at all time high, I suppose. After all, we are still a people very much dependent on public transport.
 
The change in public transport, even if it will likely be sluggishly slow, perhaps would usher the public to a broader and more profound social change in their personal lifestyle and culture. The revolution for social and cultural progress of course is determined by economic strength. The refinement of a people and their cultural transformation is best defined when they liberally enjoy economic abundance. And almost always, when a positive change in the economic equilibrium is taking shape, it also would likely mean that things promising are beginning to come into place. 


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