Among the key issues that propelled then candidate Duterte to his presidency five years ago were transport problems that plagued the country at that time—the worsening traffic congestion and lack of transport, the metro rails that were breaking down constantly, the shortage of vehicle license plates, and the “laglag bala” incidents at the airports; all of which the Duterte administration committed to resolve. To be fair, all of these were indeed attended to successfully by this administration, adding to a long list of their other achievements in the field of transport: The many airports and seaports built, the many kilometers of rail lines added, the transport modernization program, among others.
With this administration nearing the end of its term, there is much unfinished business on top of additional transport issues that have cropped up. The question is how can we be assured that these would be aptly addressed and that the continuity of such good programs, on top of the needed ones to be implemented, will be done by a new administration that is definitely on the horizon.
I met with several public road transport leaders last week to precisely discuss these matters, and we were one in seeing the need for a united front to ensure that their resolution will be attended to by the next administration. Among them were the Lawyers of Commuters Safety and Protection, the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators, and the Motorcycle Philippines Federation. No, we were not planning to put up a party list and join the election fray. Transport party lists never really worked in past elections. Most of them started well but then ultimately revolved around the personas of those who became the designated representatives. I believe there are transport party lists that will join the political fray next year, and I do hope they will really be more successful in being truly the representatives of the sector.
What we have agreed on exactly is the opposite. Rather than try to join the political fray ourselves, we will make sure that the next administration will hear us out, at the very least. This we plan to do, as a group, by coming with a transport agenda for 2022 that will be presented to these candidates and for them to agree to implement the agenda once elected. For those who will agree, then definitely they can count on the votes of the many members of these transport groups. For so long, candidates would always woo leaders and members of the sector with dinners and giveaways, then they are left out in the cold after the elections. This time, we intend to turn the tables on them: Agree with our transport agenda, in writing; then our members will consider voting for you—also in writing.
The transport agenda will be general agreements but important ones, and easily doable insofar as the new government by then is concerned, with the needed political will, of course.
Although the list will be finalized in a week, there are already some issues that we all agreed should be included. Among the most obvious ones: A more responsive Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and Land Transportation Office, where processes need to be hastened as well as voices of the sector be given room to be amplified and heard. An integrity mechanism for traffic enforcement, and credible traffic adjudication processes. Financial subsidies and more relaxed terms for the operators as part of the modernization program, indicative that all parties are supportive of the program but are held back by financial difficulties. Consolidation of policies that are made equitable. Rationalized routes, balanced among various transport modes. And a thorough consultation of the sectors on the issue of the proposed foreign ownership on public transport.
Elections had been for the most part of our history a one-off engagement between candidates and the transport stakeholders, wherein all the bells and whistles accompany many promises. This time around, the transport sector would like to be assured that the next set of leaders will have a better batting average in fulfilling the promises they made.
The author may be reached via: thomasorbos@gmail.com