Challenge for Cebu: Switching to public from private transport

Cebu Daily News: "National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional director Efren Carreon said that a mass transportation system is “very much needed” in the city.

“This will save road space, and more people can be accommodated,” he said. The use of a public transport system will hopefully get more private cars off the road."

Philippines hit by slow-moving storm, heavy flooding

The New York Times: "Floodwaters brought on by heavy rains from Typhoon Koppu in the Philippine city of Baguio, north of Manila. Credit Harley Palangchao/Reuters"

Philippines still heading wrong way, away from public transit to roads

The Straits Times: ""It's a vicious circle. Unless you have a better public transportation system, those who can afford it will continue buying cars."
...But the focus has been on building roads. President Benigno Aquino has signed off on projects to build eight roads and nine expressways.

Efficient public transport contributes to good health

Inquirer lifestyle: "THE WOEFUL inadequacy of public transport is not just a traffic problem because of the gridlocks that too many private vehicles cause, but is also a health issue. The commuters who waste time standing in line to squeeze into the MRT and LRT, buses and jeepneys are not just stressed, but are inhaling the toxic fumes, particularly carbon monoxide, that motor vehicles emit."

South Korea’s public transport

Inquirer Opinion: "A four-day stay in Seoul, South Korea, with my colleagues several weeks ago, opened our eyes to a different world amazingly far beyond compare to dear home country Philippines. It was definitely fun-filled—from the time we arrived at the Incheon Airport through the next days until we left. And this was so mainly because of Korea’s highly efficient mass public transport system."

Why make the poor pay for public transport?

Inquirer Opinion: "Public transport like the MRT or LRT should therefore be considered an essential part of production, or of the social or collective way by which wealth is produced in our society—just as machines, factories, offices, etc. are an essential part of production.

Consequently, the cost of constructing, operating and maintaining this component of production should be considered a cost of production—just as everything else used for production, and for which part of capital is used, is considered a cost of production.

But if public transport is an essential part of production and its upkeep and operation are a cost of production, then a basic question faced by all cities or countries is: Who should pay for it?"