Metro Manila, like many other Southeast Asian metropolitan areas, struggles with absolutely horrific overcrowding. With problems in traffic and commute, there had been proposals of privatizing the Philippine public transportation. Although some of us may already have an idea of its consequences, many questions still come to mind. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that the privatization of public transportation might affect us.
Migration to and from the Philippines
Filipinos are attracted to moving to Metro Manila for the new and exciting economic and lifestyle opportunities it brings, as proven by the fact that it has the nation’s lowest poverty rate. It has paved the way for the emergence of low-skilled ruralites to the primary economic metropolitan area, a quite certain formula for the expansion of informal transportation services. In addition, as of 1990, the number of officially registered vehicles has increased at a 10percent (10%) annual rate.
Read Also: Advantages of Living in Suburban Communities
With the soaring population in Metro Manila, the government is considering the privatization of Philippine public transportation. The majority of the region is plagued by traffic jams during the day. Traffic drags at an average speed of 12 kilometers per hour on the region’s main loop road, the six-lane EDSA. Around 1983 and 1996, the area’s typical automobile travel time increased from 42 minutes to 53 minutes, which is among the highest figures in the world. Conditions are extremely terrible throughout electrical power outages and rainstorms when several traffic signals fail. Automotive traffic has been increasing even way quicker.
Privatization of Philippine Public Transportation
Privatization has achieved maximum legitimacy in the Philippines as a result of two considerations, first, the deficiencies and politicization of government entities, and second, the long-standing problem of poor revenues and rapidly increasing expenditure. Privatization, on the other hand, is being promoted as a core component of a sociopolitical counterattack to help lower the size and reach of the Philippine government. The majority of Metro Manila’s mass transportation services continue to function on city roads, vying for limited street space with private vehicles and other congestions. The privatization of public transportation services means more competition. Operators intensively compete to attract customers, giving rise to hostile and disorderly driving behavior and, quite often, disorder on the roadways. Mass transit vehicles frequently cause traffic delays by blocking the center of the roadway to allow passengers to ride and get off. Traffic jams had become so severe that the metropolitan area implemented an odd-even number arrangement throughout 1996. Those automobiles, with the exception of commercial trucks and emergency responders, are prohibited on all Metro Manila streets beginning at 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every week on the basis of the last digit of their license plate number.
Read also: What does Public-Private Partnership in Infrastructures Mean?
In recent news, according to the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), the Department of Transportation (DoTr) should take into account the privatization of the EDSA busway and bus service, as well as metro commuter rail systems such as the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) and Philippine National Railway (PNR) commuter lines under a “hybrid mode”, to help to alleviate the hardships experienced by commuters. The Philippine public transportation system in Metro Manila is widely known in that all services are provided by the private sector. Even as privatization has increased productivity improvements and reduced government subsidy constraints, it has also resulted in a climate of presumably free market competition, leading to traffic turmoil and congested roads. Aside from these, here are other negative effects of the privatization of public transportation:
- Increase in cost.
Fees for Philippine public transportation may increase when the private entity takes charge of the Philippine transportation system because the developer must recover the cost of investments. But nonetheless, this is not always the case, as private sector entities typically find ways to improve operational efficiency in order to establish reasonable rates.
- It may result in fragmentation.
When a large number of private enterprises are allowed to take part in providing a public service, it can result in a complex, fragmented system in which it is not always evident who is doing what. Our railway network is a perfect illustration of the havoc this creates. Private companies may not have much immediate benefit to collaborate and communicating resources. This makes providing an array of services daunting.
- Private entities are less likely to be agile of the needs of the public mass.
Local authorities and governmental agencies are in charge of achieving the majority’s needs, but privatization means less versatility in the midst of shifting conditions. When a government contract with a private company has to be changed, the government should pay more to create modifications or enhancements add additional features, or opt-out. Furthermore, trading off public utilities and land means that we, the general population, will have limited opportunities and assets for supplying the amenities we will require in the upcoming years.
- Transportation services may worsen.
Citizens are highly valued in government services. However, private businesses generate income from public services by compromising quality or underspending. Profitability and taking the effort to start valuing your fellowmen are incompatible.
- Promotes a divided society.
Government services are essential for meeting everyone’s basic needs and allowing us all to be good citizens. Philippine public transportations are not an option. We all require and rely on government services; they are constant. That signifies they must be widely available and of the top standard to all. The private sector is frequently associated with inviting wealthier individuals to spend more and pick out services that we all use. This causes division, making it more difficult to offer excellent transportation services to all of us.
How to prepare yourself for the expected effects of the privatization of public transportation?
While there are promising effects of the privatization of public transportation, the increased expenses alongside the stress from overcrowding and road congestion may not help a commuter like you to be efficient in your work. One suggestion is to look for a work-from-home scheme if possible. Moreover, a growing number of employees are tired of long commutes and want to work closer to home. Hence, you may also opt to search for affordable properties, such as those offered by BRIA Homes near your workplace. Working near home brings a wide range of benefits with it such as:
● Because you will devote shorter hours to commuting from your home to your workplace, you will have considerably more time for your personal affairs, which often coincides with having far less burden. With all of the time you save, in addition to your personal affairs, your social life may also improve.
● You will save time commuting, utilize public vehicles less frequently, and thus add value to a clean and healthy environment. It is also beneficial to your health to use bicycles more frequently.
● You will be significantly more efficient and effective. You will sleep better, be less infuriated by rush hour, and as a result, your work performance will improve. Doing so will presumably result in better job satisfaction.
Read also: Simple Work Etiquette Tips for the New Normal
BRIA Homes primes itself on developing affordable house and lot packages and easy-on-the-pocket condominium units that cater to ordinary Filipino families who aspire to acquire their own homes. It had become the perfect choice for average Filipino workers who wanted to invest in a high-quality and affordable home. Visit www.bria.com.ph to reserve your very own BRIA property today!
Written by: MC SanchezTopic: Privatization of Public Transportation Effects (relate why its nice to live near your work)
Keywords: Philippine Public Transportation, Privatization of Public Transportation Effects
The Consequences of Privatization of Public Transportation
Metro Manila, like many other Southeast Asian metropolitan areas, struggles with absolutely horrific overcrowding. Filipinos are attracted to moving to Metro Manila for the new and exciting economic and lifestyle opportunities it brings, as proven by the fact that it has the nation’s lowest poverty rate. It has paved the way for the emergence of low-skilled ruralites to the primary economic metropolitan area, a quite certain formula for the expansion of informal transportation services. In addition, as of 1990, the number of officially registered vehicles has increased at a 10percent (10%) annual rate. With the soaring population in Metro Manila, the government is considering the privatization of Philippine public transportation. The majority of the region is plagued by traffic jams during the day. Traffic drags at an average speed of 12 kilometers per hour on the region’s main loop road, the six-lane EDSA. Around 1983 and 1996, the area’s typical automobile travel time increased from 42 minutes to 53 minutes, which is among the highest figures in the world. Conditions are extremely terrible throughout electrical power outages and rainstorms when several traffic signals fail. Automotive traffic has been increasing even way quicker.
Privatization of Philippine Public Transportation
Privatization has achieved maximum legitimacy in the Philippines as a result of two considerations, first, the deficiencies and politicization of government entities, and second, the long-standing problem of poor revenues and rapidly increasing expenditure. Privatization, on the other hand, is being promoted as a core component of a sociopolitical counterattack to help lower the size and reach of the Philippine government. The majority of Metro Manila’s mass transportation services continue to function on city roads, vying for limited street space with private vehicles and other congestions. The privatization of public transportation services means more competition. Operators intensively compete to attract customers, giving rise to hostile and disorderly driving behavior and, quite often, disorder on the roadways. Mass transit vehicles frequently cause traffic delays by blocking the center of the roadway to allow passengers to ride and get off. Traffic jams had become so severe that the metropolitan area implemented an odd-even number arrangement throughout 1996. Those automobiles, with the exception of commercial trucks and emergency responders, are prohibited on all Metro Manila streets beginning at 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every week on the basis of the last digit of their license plate number.
Read also: What does Public-Private Partnership in Infrastructures Mean?
In recent news, according to the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), the Department of Transportation (DoTr) should take into account the privatization of the EDSA busway and bus service, as well as metro commuter rail systems such as the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) and Philippine National Railway (PNR) commuter lines under a “hybrid mode”, to help to alleviate the hardships experienced by commuters. The Philippine public transportation system in Metro Manila is widely known in that all services are provided by the private sector. Even as privatization has increased productivity improvements and reduced government subsidy constraints, it has also resulted in a climate of presumably free market competition, leading to traffic turmoil and congested roads. Aside from these, here are other negative effects of the privatization of public transportation:
- Increase in cost.
Fees for Philippine public transportation may increase when the private entity takes charge of the Philippine transportation system because the developer must recover the cost of investments. But nonetheless, this is not always the case, as private sector entities typically find ways to improve operational efficiency in order to establish reasonable rates.
- It may result in fragmentation.
When a large number of private enterprises are allowed to take part in providing a public service, it can result in a complex, fragmented system in which it is not always evident who is doing what. Our railway network is a perfect illustration of the havoc this creates. Private companies may not have much immediate benefit to collaborate and communicating resources. This makes providing an array of services daunting.
- Private entities are less likely to be agile of the needs of the public mass.
Local authorities and governmental agencies are in charge of achieving the majority’s needs, but privatization means less versatility in the midst of shifting conditions. When a government contract with a private company has to be changed, the government should pay more to create modifications or enhancements add additional features, or opt-out. Furthermore, trading off public utilities and land means that we, the general population, will have limited opportunities and assets for supplying the amenities we will require in the upcoming years.
- Transportation services may worsen.
Citizens are highly valued in government services. However, private businesses generate income from public services by compromising quality or underspending. Profitability and taking the effort to start valuing your fellowmen are incompatible.
- Promotes a divided society.
Government services are essential for meeting everyone’s basic needs and allowing us all to be good citizens. Philippine public transportations are not an option. We all require and rely on government services; they are constant. That signifies they must be widely available and of the top standard to all. The private sector is frequently associated with inviting wealthier individuals to spend more and pick out services that we all use. This causes division, making it more difficult to offer excellent transportation services to all of us.
How to prepare yourself for the expected effects of the privatization of public transportation?
While there are promising effects of the privatization of public transportation, the increased expenses alongside the stress from overcrowding and road congestion may not help a commuter like you to be efficient in your work. One suggestion is to look for a work-from-home scheme if possible. Moreover, a growing number of employees are tired of long commutes and want to work closer to home. Hence, you may also opt to search for affordable properties, such as those offered by BRIA Homes near your workplace. Working near home brings a wide range of benefits with it such as:
● Because you will devote shorter hours to commuting from your home to your workplace, you will have considerably more time for your personal affairs, which often coincides with having far less burden. With all of the time you save, in addition to your personal affairs, your social life may also improve.
● You will save time commuting, utilize public vehicles less frequently, and thus add value to a clean and healthy environment. It is also beneficial to your health to use bicycles more frequently.
● You will be significantly more efficient and effective. You will sleep better, be less infuriated by rush hour, and as a result, your work performance will improve. Doing so will presumably result in better job satisfaction.
Read also: Simple Work Etiquette Tips for the New Normal
BRIA Homes primes itself on developing affordable house and lot packages and easy-on-the-pocket condominium units that cater to ordinary Filipino families who aspire to acquire their own homes. It had become the perfect choice for average Filipino workers who wanted to invest in a high-quality and affordable home. Visit www.bria.com.ph to reserve your very own BRIA property today!
Written by MC Sanchez
