AS 2022 draws near, we will again have a cacophony of voices promising us a better tomorrow. We cannot blame these candidates, as their promises of doing good once elected have always been the hallmark of our elections. Whether they fulfill these promises or not once elected is another matter. We can try to be different this time around. Why don’t we, for once, tell these candidates what we expect of them once elected, and give them a sort of our wish list? It can be general in nature or sectoral. For our purpose, let’s talk about transport. Admittedly, the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build program has accomplished much improvement; its infra accomplishment is definitely unprecedented. With this to begin with, let’s “build” on that, literally. What then is our wish list for our next president and legislators to consider in further addressing our transport concerns?
1. Evaluating the past transport programs: A thorough review of the transport related programs of the Duterte administration should be the beginning of the new transport leadership. Simply put: evaluate, continue the good ones, take out the bad ones, and fill the gaps. We have enough good programs. We just need to see it through.
2. Transport Equity: At the back of the minds of the new set of transport leaders is the mantra of having transport for all, with the least in society being given more in terms of mobility. Transport policies then should be more equitable, within easy and affordable access for everyone.
3. Move to personal mobility: The recent rise of the bikes and other personal mobility devices needs to be sustained and strengthened. The new transport leaders should adopt the needed policies: more dedicated lanes, safety measures, assistance and education. Personal mobility solves so many problems—congestion, pollution, affordability, and health, among others.
4. Defined and accessible bureaucracy: Define the directions and set that in motion with our bureaucracy. If it’s ease of doing business or anti-corruption, then let that filter down to our district offices, not just in words.
5. Uplifting the dignity of transport workers and providing assistance—The pandemic has hit the transport sector really hard. The new transport dispensation needs to be more understanding of the sector’s plight more than ever. Continued assistance and possibly subsidy need to be included in all programs.
6. Make streets smart and accountable: The smart city programs embarked on before the pandemic need to be continued. Data driven solutions with less human intervention will equate to a more efficient and effective transport management. A forewarning—it would be best if a smart transport master plan be conducted so that time, resources and effort will not be wasted.
7. Cleaner air, safer roads: the drive for cleaner air and safer roads must remain as a priority of the incoming government. Modern public transport, electric vehicles with less GHG emissions, roadworthiness, consideration for the PWDs—the work for transport 2022 is definitely cut out.
8. Transport sense through education: Most of us still lack the needed knowledge to be out on the streets. Whether it be part of the school curriculum or required technical knowledge for those who will engage in transport, education, particularly road safety and commuter rights, must be given emphasis.
9. Pandemic-ready: Understandable that we were all, even the transport sector, caught unprepared when the pandemic hit us. But the next transport leadership must have a program for resiliency and continuity when the next pandemic or disaster comes. Such is not anymore an interim program but rather a standard one.
10. Connecting the country, the world—Mobility begins once we step out of our homes. What is needed is a cohesive transport program that connects our homes to the whole of the country and the rest of the world in a seamless, inclusive, sustainable manner that is good for the long term.
Yes, we are just around the bend before 2022. Let us make sure that we are heard this time. Not just through the ballots but in terms of what we as the public need from our next set of leaders. This time around, let the people on the streets talk. Let it be Street Talk, 2022!
Thomas “Tim” Orbos is currently a transport policy advisor for an international organization and worked in government on transport and urban development matters. He is an alumnus of Georgetown University and the MIT Sloan School of Management. He can be reached via e-mail—tmo45@georgetown.edu /thomas_orbos@sloan.mit.edu