Robredo’s traffic woes are ours – commuters

MANILA, Philippines – How do you solve the country’s transportation woes?

This was one of the questions asked at the vice presidential debate held on Sunday, April 10, at the University of Santo Tomas.

The 6 candidates echoed similar plans – the need to modernize the country’s rail system, improve the mass transit system, and appoint the right people to fix the system. However, it was Robredo’s solutions that resonated with commuters. (READ: VP bets’ traffic fixes: Boost rural dev’t, improve mass transit)

Robredo wins commuters

Many netizens noted how Liberal Party (LP) vice presidential bet Camarines Sur 3rd district representative Leni Robredo gave the most concrete plan.

Robredo, a known commuter, said government should fix the mass transportation system, provide adequate salaries to bus drivers, and develop the provinces.

Leni has first hand experience with public transpo. She knows it, she feels our pain!

— Anissa Villegas (@anissavillegas) April 10, 2016

To be fair, Leni Robredo knows the transpo woes of commuters because she’s a regular bus-rider hehe 🙂 #PiliPinasDebates2016

— Maria Elize (@ohmehmg) April 10, 2016

It takes a REAL commuter to answer the concerns of traffic. Leni’s answer is improved mass transpo system and rural devlpment #LeniisMyVP

— Geoffrey del Rosario (@gdelro) April 10, 2016

Leni Robredo stressing out that traffic is caused by opportunities only present in Manila & lack of development in rural area SO ON POINT!!!

— Jhon Rivera (@mcjhonalds) April 10, 2016

Yes, Leni Robredo discussing about PNR modernization!!! Pinagtitiyagaan na lang yan kasi sobrang convenient. #PiliPinasDebate2016

— Loven Opiana (@iamloves) April 10, 2016

Thank you @LeniRobredo for shining light on Bicol as example of rural underdevelopment. I’m also a Bicolano who experienced this. #PHvote

— Emil Tapnio (@EmilTapnio) April 10, 2016

Robredo on Traffic solutions:
1. income for the public transit drivers
2. develop the provinces

Yes!#VPDebates2016 #PiliPinasDebates2016

— Ericka (@chanteusse) April 10, 2016

No to Abaya

Many netizens also echoed vice presidential candidate Senator Francis Escudero’s statement that  transportation chief Jun Abaya should be immediately fired for his “incompetence.”

traffic solution: First, have Abaya resign. get someone with a brain in that position. #PiliPinasDebate2016

— maan pamaran (@maanpamaran) April 10, 2016

Escudero: (1) Tanggalin si Sec. Abaya. (2) Maging strikto sa mga kolorum. (3) Inalik ang sidewalk sa tao.@dzrhnews #desisyon2016

— Joyce (@joyciliciousss) April 10, 2016

While I agree that Abaya should be fired, lets start talking about the plans. Given naman yung pagtanggal kay Abaya!

— Paul (@pauliopadilla) April 10, 2016

Ngayon pa lang tanggalin na si Abaya.

— Paul Robrigado (@paulvor0n) April 10, 2016

Oh ah! Usapang traffic at Abaya lang ang susi ng harmonious debate! Iba ka Abaya  #PiliPinasDebates2016

— Carla Lim (@carlalimnews5) April 10, 2016

Decentralize the metro

Meanwhile, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV gave a drastic solution – transferring the capital to either Pampanga or Nueva Ecija and moving government centers outside of Manila to help decongest the city.

VP bet Senator Gringo Honasan echoed this proposal, adding that a better land use policy will solve the capital’s traffic problems. 

On traffic. Trillanes: rural dev’t plan. Mass transpo system like mono rails. #PiliPinasDebates2016

— Kathryn Raymundo (@katray) April 10, 2016

Sa totoo lang, madaming magandang points na nire-raise si Honasan. Didn’t heard the audience heckling him that much. #PiliPinasDebate2016

— Earl John Pajaro (@ejgpajaro) April 10, 2016

Honasan makes sense.. makes a lot of sense actually.. nice break from the top raters.. walang political boladas #PiliPinasDebate2016

— maria juana (@majaybalilo) April 10, 2016

Metro Manila traffic has been cited as one of the most critical problems that the next government will face, with traffic costing the country P3 billion a day.

Senator Allan Cayetano, running mate of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, banked on “political will” to solve traffic and transportation woes. But some netizens noted that political will – the senator’s answer to most of the questions – can only do so much,.

Political will can only go so far with a flawed structure. Kita mo to sa band-aid solutions MMDA sa traffic na kulang pa rin. #OneBigVote

— Koko Quilatan (@KokoQuilatan) April 10, 2016

Ang bagong palusot pag wala kang plano, gagaya ka na lang sa balak ng iba, o ayaw mo lang talagang i-share ang nasa isip mo: POLITICAL WILL.

— SJLM (@sjlm1204) April 10, 2016

Some netizens nodded on Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s plan to finish the North and South Rail sytems since trains are the cheapest ways to move cargo and passengers.

Hmmm I liked Marcos’ answer to traffic. Enhance public transpo to lessen private cars. Exactly! #VicePresidentialDebate

— KarisGuerrero (@karissaguerrero) April 10, 2016

Robredo, Marcos on transpo: hear hear! #PiliPinasDebates2016

— bonkers (@Jelaizyeah) April 10, 2016

– Rappler.com