Group calls for higher budget, better plans for PH transport system

A commuters' group on Wednesday slammed the government for supposedly having "no clear plans" for improving the country's transportation system.

“Napakaraming administration na ang wala halos binuhos na budget at walang malinaw na proyekto (para sa transportasyon),” said PARA-Advocates for Inclusive Transportation in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(Many administrations have hardly allocated any budget or presented clear projects.)

The statement comes after some passengers were forced to spend Christmas Eve at seaports and land transportation terminals due to the huge influx of travelers amid the holiday season.

“May matinding kapabayaan ang gobyerno sa pagdevelop ng pampubliko at pang-masa na transportation,” added Rafael. 

(The government has shown significant negligence in developing public and mass transportation.)

GMA News Online reached out to the Department of Transportation for comment but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

He then urged the government to place more funds for the development of the country’s mass public transportation system.

This, as Rafael noted the P87.9 billion allocation for the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy Program —  a program that provides incentives and support for manufacturers in the automotive industry. 

“Ganoon kalaking pera ang inilalaan ng gobyerno para sa paggawa ng pribadong sasakyan…Imagine natin kung yung P87.9 billion ay chinanel sa pagdevelop ng pampublikong transportation?… Mas marami ang magiging transport supply natin,” added Rafael. 

(The government allocates such a large amount of money for the production of private vehicles. Just imagine if that P87.9 billion were channeled into developing public transportation. We would have a much greater supply of transport.)

In May, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said that government agencies are working hard to "upgrade" the country's transportation system. 

"We have a wide range of programs and projects underway, all aimed at making our transport systems more efficient and our cities smarter,'' said Marcos. 

''While we have not yet reached the point of seamless smart transportation, we are not standing still either," he added.

—Sundy Locus/ VAL, GMA Integrated News