The MRT nor the LRT, nor the PNR does not provide that mobility. We are hampered by their unchanged or updated old and dilapidate parts as well as the lack of spare parts to replace them. When one is dealing with the government, we can almost always expect the delays in transporting people, goods or services through the use of these transport facilities.
Since we cannot solve this problem on a citywide nor a national scale, let us concentrate on the barangay. Each barangay has more than a kilometer in diameter. For example, in our barangay, it takes me 500 steps from our house to that point where I can get a public transport. That is about 15 minutes of walking briskly. If I do it lackadasically, I could reach the loading point in 700 steps.
Meanwhile, our barangay has many shutttle jeeps that ferry officers to deliver, pick up a message, etcetera. I tried hailing one but the driver was in a hurry to go back to the office, which is very near the loading point. The jeep can carry 14 passengers and the driver had only one passenger in front. I did not bother about it because I am used to psyching myself up -- "God does not close one door without opening another," I had told myself.
Seriously though now, I would propose to the new DILG Secretary to make each barangay provide a shuttle jeep that would carry residents from one point to the other, around the place. Ayala Center has those e-jeepneys which go around it for a fare of P8.00 and 20% less for senior citizens. Ateneo de Manila University in Katipunan provides a shuttle also and for free.
I don't see the reason why the barangay cannot provide that facility. We have many senior citizens I am sure who want to be able to go to the commerial centers which are found just near the barangay. Yet are too hard up to afford the fares.
Right now, tricycles are the main transport vehicle. Each ride to the end of the barangay where one can get a ride to Quiapo, to Cubao, or to Divisoria, charge P20 oer oerson. Back to the house that would be another P20.00 So all in all in a day's time, we are spending P40 per day x thirty days and that would amount to P1,200.00 per month. In a year's time, that would be P12,000.00 + 2,400 or P14,400.00. wow! That is already a big sum which we could use to buy us a meal for 144 days or four months at P100 per meal, that is if you have a big meal only once a day.
The problem is that it is the Quezon City Council which is in control of the fares that the tricycles charge and kahit na magngangawa kami sa barangay office, walang mangyayari pa rin.
And so here is what our first request to the DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno, kindly make us more mobile in our barangay, sans expensive transport fares or a free or almost free shuttle jeep.
A blessed day to you and your new government family.
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