I have always espoused the notion that government alone cannot resolve this problem of traffic. The government may or may not even provide the proper policies and infrastructure, but unless we have a conscious and participative citizenry in the traffic resolution, then no matter what government does, it will all go to naught. It starts with us. We bear both the problem and the solution. This behavioral approach to resolving traffic begins with our individual resolve and works its way up to a collective behavior of a nation of commuters, regardless of politics. We all share this common experience no matter who is in Malacañang.
In his book, Upheavals, renowned historian and author, Jared Diamond talks about past crisis events of developed nations that became their turning points toward redemption and, eventually, progress. Citing the historical cases of several countries, he identifies common factors that determined the outcome of their crisis experiences. Although, he cited 12 factors these can basically be grouped as follows—First is admitting that there is a crisis. Second is identifying and resolving the doables and separating them from the bigger ones, which he terms as “building a fence,” third, is searching for a similar model or experience, of others or maybe of one’s past wherein that similar crisis was resolved, and last, building the inner confidence that such crisis can indeed be resolved. For the author, these character traits provided the pivot that turned things around for these countries—what were seemingly in a hopeless situation to an opportunity and to the road of recovery.
It may well be that this methodology of realization can be applied to our nation’s traffic and transport situation, and provide the resolution to our own traffic problem. And this self-reflection is not for government alone. It is for all of us, as commuters, to ponder and to survive this crisis, and move toward recovery.
First step is admission. Forget whether government wants to admit it or not. More important is do we admit it and what do we do about it. And admittance is not acceptance. Acceptance connotes passiveness and giving up to our dire traffic situation. Admission brings the firm resolve to fix it. It will lead us not to be hopeless and dependent on government.
Next is building a fence or cordoning off the small problems—the doables, the so-called low hanging fruits, and what we can do on our own. Planning our trips, carpooling, telecommuting—these are examples of individual fences we can immediately do. On the next scale, community, village or barangay-wise—let us get involved in fencing our communal traffic problems. It may be addressing the influx of tricycles in the area or resolving parking issues. Does a village go for a basketball court or garden landscaping, or would they put up a parking lot that they direly need? I remember a good friend, Eduardo Blanco, who belongs to an active group of BF residents. Amid the growing commercialization of their village, their solid front had steadfastly opposed any move that will add to their village traffic congestion. Yes, it does takes a village to undertake change.
It would also help to look at parallel experiences outside to help resolve our traffic problem. To know that there is a shared “crisis” experience leads to shared solutions. Take the case of the problem of our buses where we have too many operators competing on one corridor, thus, leading to competing unnecessarily for the same number of commuters. Such a problem existed some 20 plus years ago in Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore. Developed countries now with solutions. We can learn from them, and be assured that our learning curve will be shortened and avoid possible mistakes.
The last step is believing that change can happen. Believing in ourselves that we can institute the change we want in our traffic situation will lead to a collective attitude that will realize the change we need. In the end, we may not see the immediate change we want to happen, but it will come to that. The resolution to traffic begins with us—“Be the change that you want to be.” As they say, “Ang trapiko ay trapik mo!”
Thomas Tim Orbos was former DOTr undersecretary for roads and general manager of the MMDA. He is currently undertaking further studies at the McCourt School of Public Policy of Georgetown University. He can be reached via e-mail at thomas_orbos@sloan.mit.edu