Transport wish list 2022

We know that transport and mobility are but a part of the many concerns that we as voters need to hear from our presidential candidates. Maybe not even the most important one, but definitely very essential; one that can spell the difference if we want our country to move forward or stagnate. Let’s remember that inaction will result in the country being left behind in six years that the winning candidate will sit in that office.

our attention is so focused on the pandemic, but we must not forget that we are less than two years away from the next elections and just a year before the deadline of the filing of the certificate of candidacies for those who intend to run for public office, including the presidency. it goes without saying that we need to begin thinking already, not so much on our choices in 2022, but, more importantly, what areas of governance that need to be covered and answered by those we will elect into office.

For this column, we reiterate our quest for better, more inclusive and sustainable mobility for Filipinos that we hope our 2022 national candidates will include in their agenda. My wish list includes what our presidentiables have to say about transport and mobility come 2022:

To begin, it will be a welcome change for candidates to deviate from the usual practice of criticizing and blaming everything that was wrong with the outgoing administration and then promising an end-all solution to the current state of affairs. Yes, there are policies that need to be overturned and taken out but there are also programs that need to be pursued. One problem that beset us is continuity of good programs simply because of a change of administration. Also, discernment is needed as building the proper transport

infrastructure and transformational change do not happen overnight. So, rather than a blanket criticism on previous programs, it would be proper for candidates to give the electorate an honest assessment of the programs of the outgoing administration, a promise to weed out the wrong ones and a commitment to continue or finish those that merit support.

Second, it is primordial for the presidentiables to present their master plan on transport and mobility for their six years in office. Let us see them come prepared. Forget the motherhood statements. Let them show us their road map—not necessarily the details, but show us in broad strokes how they intend to make our lives on the road better. Let us hear their 10-point agenda on transport and mobility; their vision, and their policy insights.

Besides, this should not be difficult for presidential candidates as they are surrounded by their own group of experts, including past and present policymakers and members of the academe. A sound transport program is what we want to hear and what we deserve.

Third, there are mandatories. We need to learn from these candidates their views on certain transport concerns and matters. What to do with the lack of public transport? What about the plight of the jeepney drivers or our maritime workers? Traffic congestion? Pollution? Road accidents? Pursuing modernization or phase out of jeepneys? What about the expansion of rails to the countryside? Rationalization of maritime and aviation? Is the solution having more airports and seaports or streamlining services to be more cost efficient and effective? We definitely need to hear their take on this. Maybe not as part of a master plan but ready answers during the mandatory Q and A among presidentiables. Again, not the details but more the thought processes. This will show the deep dive and how on-ground the candidate is on relevant issues relative to transport.

We know that transport and mobility are but a part of the many concerns that we as voters need to hear from our presidential candidates. Maybe not even the most important one, but definitely very essential; one that can spell the difference if we want our country to move forward or stagnate. Let’s remember that inaction will result in the country being left behind in six years that the winning candidate will sit in that office. We need to extract from our presidentiables what they intend to do to make the state of transport better for us, ordinary Filipinos. We deserve a president that comes prepared. We cannot afford to be taken in for a ride of trial runs. And just like a good driver, we need a president who knows the road, comes prepared and assures us that we will indeed reach our destination as he or she has promised. 2022 is just around the corner and preparing for that journey needs to happen now.

Thomas “Tim” Orbos was formerly with the DOTR and the MMDA. He has completed his graduate studies at the Mccourt School of Public Policy of Georgetown University and is an alumnus of the MIT Sloan School of Management. He can be reached via e-mail at thomas_orbos@sloan.mit.edu